December 2022 Southwest Edition

Industry Veteran Frank Terlep Sells Company, Receives Three Awards at SEMA, Named CIC Chair

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

A little over three years ago, Frank Terlep co-founded Auto Techcelarators to help the auto, collision, glass, insurance and truck industries properly estimate, calibrate and validate advanced driverassistance systems (ADAS) repairs and calibrations.

As CEO, Terlep and his team developed Test Drive CoPilot™, a platform designed to change how ADAS safety system verification test drives are performed, managed and documented. They also created Calibration CoPilot™ to properly operate and manage ADAS service and calibration businesses, and

ADAS CoPilot™, an ADAS and calibration information, knowledge and repair procedure mobile app and web portal.

The entrepreneur has worked in the automotive industry for more than 40 years, dating back to 1984, when he launched his first technology business with a $100,000 investment from an angel investor and developed one of the first software applications for the automotive aftermarket industry.

Since then, he said he has helped design and launch the industry’s first Windows-based estimating and management system, the first online parts procurement platform, the first mobile app and digital marketing platform, as well as a remote scanning

REGIONAL

NEWS

Classic Collision Celebrates 200th Location Milestone

Classic Collision, LLC, a national multi-site collision repair operator based in Atlanta, opened its 200th state-of-the-art location and will be celebrating over its 15-state footprint.

“Last summer, we had the pleasure of celebrating our historic milestone of 100 locations, and today we’re excited to share we’ve reached another huge achievement with the opening of our 200th location,” said Toan Nguyen, CEO of Classic

Collision. “What a pleasure it has been for our team to watch every single person play a role in building this incredible company. Now, we celebrate this major accomplishment as a Classic Collision family.”

Classic Collision Energy Corridor is Houston’s 17th location and Classic’s 200th. At just over 17,000 square feet, Energy Corridor is conveniently located near George Bush Park,

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REGIONAL NEWS

Lucid Group Sues Texas Over Direct Sales Ban

By Dan Mihalascu InsideEVs

Lucid Group has filed a federal lawsuit in Texas over the state’s rules on auto dealerships, which the EV startup labels “economic protectionism.”

In the suit filed in U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas (Austin division), Lucid said the state prevents it from selling its electric cars there and accused Texas of acting anti-competitively in forcing companies to sell their products

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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through established dealerships. Lucid named Monique Johnston, director of the Motor Vehicle Division

In October, Auto Techcelerators, co-founded by Frank Terlep, was acquired by Opus IVS™, a global diagnostics, ADAS calibration, programming and on-demand remote support company

REGIONAL NEWS

Canoo to Build EV Battery Modules in Oklahoma 27

CARSTAR Colorado Business Group Participates in Denver Lincoln Tech Career Fair 4

Classic Collision Celebrates 200th Location Milestone 1

Governor Announces $100M Investment in Arizona’s Semiconductor Industry 28

Lucid Group Sues Texas Over Direct Sales Ban 1

NABC Recycled Rides® Donates Refurbished Vehicle to Dallas Veteran 19

Toyota Auto Insurance Comes to Texas 36

Two New Tesla Cybertruck Builds Spotted at Giga Texas 11 Wallbox Opens Manufacturing Facility in Texas 6

COLUMNISTS

Mike Anderson

What You’re Missing by Not Researching Battery Disconnect and Reconnect Procedures 10

Abby Andrews

Collision Repairers Learn How to Negotiate with Insurers to Get Paid for All Work 42

Driven Brands Celebrates Opening of 1,000th Collision Repair Location in North America 20

Stacey Phillips

ALLDATA’s ADAS Quick Reference Tool Receives SEMA New Product Award in ADAS Category 30

Collision Repairers Find Cost Savings & Quality Care with SCRS National Health Care Plan 14

NATIONAL NEWS

Auto Care Alliance Announces Calendar 43

Auto Insurers Struggle to Manage Expectations as Repair Times Increase 48

Axalta Promotes Muse to VP of Sales 4

CCC Introduces Diagnostics Enhancements 6

CCC Names New Executive 27

Classic Collision Adds 3rd Location in North Carolina, Expands Again in Texas 42

Customer Satisfaction with Rental Car Companies Affected by Rapidly Rising Costs 28

Driven Brands Reports Strong 3Q Results 40

Dynabrade Awarded Certification 36

Equalizer® Gives Back this Holiday Season 43

EV Sales Hit Record, According to Kelley Blue Book 43

Gas Demand Declines as Recession Fears Weigh Down Oil Market Expectations 34

GM Secures All Energy Needed to Achieve Renewable Energy Goal 25 Years Ahead of Target 47

Hyundai Recalls 2018 Santa Fe Sports After 4 Fires 36

Kia Recalls 71,000 SUVs for Fire Risk50

Minnesota Law Firm Files Class Action Complaint on Behalf of Kia and Hyundai Theft Victims 38

More Than 745,000 Stolen Vehicles Reported So Far in 2022 49

NABC Donates 9 Vehicles, Presents Awards, Inducts Hall of Eagles Members at SEMA Show 22

Nationwide Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Busted 46

New-Vehicle Monthly Payment Hits Another Record High in October 47

SCRS Study Concludes Blend Time is Greater than Full Refinish 49

SCRS’ Repairer Driven Education at SEMA Gets Support Boost from AirPro Diagnostics 32

Some Americans Consider Driving Less, Skipping Coverage in Face of Rising Insurance Costs: Report 40

Industry Veteran Frank Terlep Sells Company, Receives Three Awards at

SEMA, Named CIC Chair 1

Mitchell Awarded 3rd Patent for Collision Repair Diagnostics, Showcases Product Enhancements at SEMA 18

Prestigious Awards Announced at Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast During SEMA 2022 26

Spanesi Americas Introduces FLASH Portable Pulling Column 38

SUN Collision Repair Information Software Helps Technicians Find OEM Repair Procedures 32

John Yoswick

Economist Tells Collision Repairers at MSO Symposium: ‘Beware the Economic Narrative’ 44

How Will Results from SCRS ‘Blend’ Study Be Used Moving Forward? 34

Index of Advertisers

Agile Truck & Auto Tools 5

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers 51

Axalta Coating Systems 11

BendPak 15

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers ��������������� 43

Bob Utter Kia 47

Certified Automotive Parts Association 20

Christopher’s Dodge-Ram 20, 23 Classifieds 50

Dynabrade, Inc ���������������������������������������� 21

Emich Chevrolet 23, 44

Equalizer Auto Glass Tools 6

Fisher Acura 23

Fisher Honda 23

Five Star Subaru �������������������������������������� 19

Flatirons Subaru 23, 33

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers 45

Fowler Honda 36

Freeman Mazda 32

Garcia Honda ������������������������������������������� 49

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers 41

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers 24-25

Horne Kia 48

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers 38

Industrial Finishes and Systems �������������� 31

Island Clean Air 13

Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers 39

Larry H Miller Ford Mesa 30

Mac Haik Ford-Lincoln 29

Malco 10

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers 46

Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts ��������������������� 42

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers 37

North American Bancard 52

North Freeway Hyundai 28

Northside Chevrolet 18 Part of the Club ���������������������������������������� 23

Peak Kia 23

Platinum Auto Trends 12

Quality Buick-GMC 4

Santa Fe Kia 36

SATA Dan-Am Company���������������������������� 2

Schmelz Countryside 23

Schomp Mazda 34

Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center 8-9

Sorbothane Soft-Blow Mallet 22

Spanesi Americas�������������������������������������� 7

Stevinson Toyota West 23

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers 35

TYC Genera Corporation 17

Toyota of Laredo 27

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers �������������� 40

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers 43

Lucid Group Sues

at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, as the defendant.

As with many other electric vehicle startups, the Newark, CA-based company markets its vehicles online and through a network of stores it owns. Lucid argues its direct sales and in-house after-sales service are so intertwined, using an independent franchised dealer would not be economically viable and would harm the business.

“That tight and fast feedback loop, and the benefits it brings to Lucid’s customers, would be impossible with third-party dealers interposed between Lucid and consumers,” according to the plaintiff’s statement seen by Bloomberg.

It would appear Lucid is testing out a similar legal strategy to Tesla’s to get its direct-sales model approved in Michigan. After more than three years of litigation, the parties settled and Tesla vehicles can now be sold and serviced in the state.

However, when it comes to its home state of Texas, Tesla faces similar challenges as Lucid, and is unable to sell directly to customers there. For years, Tesla has been lobbying to change dealership

laws in Texas, but has so far been unsuccessful.

Lucid is currently struggling to develop its business building and selling the Air luxury sedan, which currently retails for more than $100,000—although a more affordable Air Pure version costing $87,400 will launch soon.

The EV maker has cut 2022 production targets twice this year, with the latest forecast being 6,000 to 7,000 vehicles. Despite claiming more than 37,000 reservations in the second quarter, Lucid only managed to deliver 1,398 vehicles in the third, when it built 2,282 vehicles.

In the first three quarters of this year, Lucid has built almost 3,700 vehicles and delivered more than 2,400. To meet its production target for 2022, the company will have to produce at least 2,300 vehicles in the fourth quarter.

CARSTAR Colorado Business Group Participates in Denver Lincoln Tech Career Fair

Today’s collision repair students are the future of the collision repair industry, and the CARSTAR Colorado Business Group is doing its part to invest in their success.

For more than six years, the Colorado CARSTAR store owners and team members have provided support and coaching for Lincoln College of Technology in Denver, CO.

The Colorado CARSTAR Business Group participated in the Annual Fall Career Fair at Lincoln Tech in Denver on Oct. 20.  There were more than 100 students in the collision program who had an opportunity to visit with local collision repair professionals, manufacturers, service providers and other employers.

The Colorado CARSTAR Business Group have been active participants in Lincoln Tech’s Program Advisory Committees, career fairs, as Platinum sponsors of its annual car show, guest speakers at its National Signing Day and through introductory meetings with new students each semester.  The group has also

shown its support to the school with a CARSTAR-sponsored classroom and various CARSTARbranded graphics throughout the school.

“There was a tremendous turnout with a great group of excited, engaged students,” said Gunnar Greenemeier, owner of CARSTAR Highland-Denver North and CARSTAR Highland-Denver South. “We had conversations with virtually every student. We ended up walking away with more than 25 resumes of students wanting to work part time and full time. It was an excellent day! It’s so inspiring to support the next generation of collision repair professionals and see them progress through their schoolwork into their careers.”

The Colorado CARSTAR stores include 10 locations along in the Metro Denver area and Fort Collins.

Current Lincoln Tech students and graduates have become employed at Colorado CARSTAR stores, helping them grow their careers, and filling a need for entrylevel employees.

Source: CARSTAR

Axalta Promotes Muse To VP of Sales

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. On Oct. 31 announced Jim Muse has been promoted to VP of sales, Global Refinish, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Muse will return to Axalta’s Global headquarters in Glen Mills, PA, and will report to Troy Weaver, senior vice president Global Refinish.

Prior to this promotion, Muse was Axalta’s vice president, EMEA Refinish, where he was responsible for Axalta’s Refinish Business in Europe, Middle East and North Africa. Muse first joined Axalta in 2013 as part of the North American refinish leadership team and was awarded the Axalta Senior Leadership Award in 2015 for his noteworthy contributions to the company.

Muse was also instrumental in the success of Axalta’s initiative to secure and grow market share with multiple location collision shop operators, mega-dealers and nationally recognized collision shop networks.

Source: Axalta

Wallbox Opens Manufacturing Facility in Texas

By Tom Moloughney InsideEVs

EV charging equipment supplier Wallbox on Oct. 27 officially opened its first North American manufacturing facility in Arlington, TX. The state-of-the-art, 130,000-square foot factory will manufacture the company’s full line of charging equipment in the U.S.

The $70 million investment by Wallbox is expected to produce 250,000 units and bring more than 250 jobs to the Arlington area by 2025. By 2030, the company expects the facility to be manufacturing more than 1 million chargers and employ approximately 700 workers.

“Today only 3% of the chargers required globally for the next decade have been installed, showing the magnitude of the need for innovative and reliable charging solutions,” said Enric Asunción, CEO of Wallbox. “Bringing Wallbox’s manufacturing capabilities to the U.S. significantly bolsters our ability to meet U.S. needs, deliver to public funding programs and drive the energy transition.”

CCC Introduces Diagnostics Enhancements

CCC Intelligent Solutions on Oct. 25 announced the introduction of enhancements to CCC® Diagnostics, a transformative product that meets the evolving needs of an increasingly complex collision repair industry.

The new functionality will simplify the diagnostics process for repairers and drive consistency in the administration of diagnostics billing, including customizable diagnostic profiles and a dashboard to drive diagnostics workflow. These features are further enhanced through CCC Diagnostic’s existing integrations with leading diagnostic service providers.

Through use of the CCC Diagnostics optional enhancements, repairers will be able to configure notifications to their staff to help inform them when deciding which vehicles need a pre- or post-repair scan, as well as which repairs have had a diagnostic operation completed, but not billed. Visit www.cccis.com/ diagnostics.

Source: CCC Intelligent Solutions

InsideEVs was on hand for the factory’s grand opening and witnessed a live demonstration of the company’s latest offering, the Hypernova. The Hypernova is a DC fast charger capable of delivering up to 400 kW. Wallbox said the Hypernova is capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in just five minutes of charging.

That, of course, is dependent on the vehicle being able to accept that much power, as well as its driving efficiency. A Hummer EV, for instance, can add about 30 kWh in five minutes of charging on a Hypernova. However, it can only go about 50 miles with 30 kWh. On the other hand, a Lucid Air can go about 125 miles on 30 kWh.

Wallbox already manufactures a DC fast charger, the Supernova, but that unit is limited to delivering 150 kW and is currently not deployed in the U.S. The Supernova is a stand-alone unit with built-in power modules, while the Hypernovas relies on an external power cabinet.

Hypernova has a centralized power system that can feed one or multiple dispenser units. The design allows for a wide variety of

configurations that can be upgraded over time, including the addition of more power modules or dispenser units to the installation.

sunlight.

Wallbox will soon begin manufacturing a new level 2 residential unit in Arlington, the Quasar 2, a bi-directional EVSE capable of delivering 11.5 kW of DC power to an EV. The Quasar 2 also allows owners with compatible EVs to use their cars as emergency generators in instances of power outages.

“Hypernova was specifically designed to bolster public charging infrastructure in the U.S.,” said Douglas Alfaro, general manager, North America, at Wallbox. “It aims to solve the current deficit in public charging along key U.S. highway corridors and simplify long-distance traveling for EV drivers. We’re already seeing vehicles with higher power charging capabilities hit the road that would be looking to benefit from faster charging from an ultra fast charger like Hypernova than what’s being installed today.”

Hypernova has an integrated cable management system, interactive lighting and touchscreens that are easy to read even in direct

It’s important to note the vehicle does have to be capable of bidirectional power flow to use that function. The Quasar 2 will only be available with the combined charging system (CCS) connector.

While the Hypernova and Quasar 2 are upcoming products for Wallbox, the company is already manufacturing its most prominent product, the Pulsar Plus in Arlington. The Pulsar Plus is one of the most popular level 2 residential and commercial chargers on the market today.

Available in both 40-amp and 48-amp versions, the Pulsar Plus is a WiFi-connected smart charger packed with features, currently available for $649 and $699, respectively.

During a recent collision industry seminar I was teaching, I asked if there were any technicians in the class, and several people raised their hands.

I asked them: “If I walked into your shop, and asked you if you research the procedures in the OEM repair manual before you disconnect a battery, what would you say?”

It’s a question I’d like you to consider right now as you start reading this article.

In that class, I heard one tech muttering something quietly, and I asked him what he said.

“I would say if you don’t know how to disconnect a battery, you shouldn’t be working on cars,” he replied.

That’s a fair statement, I told him. But then I took him—and the rest of the class—through the OEM procedures for a particular vehicle, showing him what that automaker states you need to be aware of before you disconnect a battery. Yet I think most of you, like that tech in my class, would acknowledge that no, you’re

not researching the OEM repair procedures before you disconnect a battery.

So let’s talk about this. First, one of the things you need to know before you disconnect a battery is whether the vehicle is connected to telematics.

Lexus Safety Connect.

What we’ve found is, in some instances, if the vehicle is connected and you disconnect the battery, it may send an alert through the telematics to the automaker to say something happened to this car’s battery. The OEM may in turn contact the customer via text or email, or sometimes even alert the dealership service department to ask them to reach out to that customer.

Your failure to research the procedures prior to disconnecting that battery just created a bad customer service experience.

So before you ever disconnect a battery, determine whether the vehicle is connected, and if so, determine if you need to place it in “service mode” first.

For one vehicle, the automaker may say you have to wait one minute, while another may say you have to wait six minutes. I’ve seen some OEMs say after you turn the car off, you have to wait 90 minutes before you disconnect the battery.

This is only going to become more important moving forward as more vehicles are “connected” to things like General Motors’ OnStar or Toyota/

Another consideration is “wait time.” Every automaker I’ve researched says you have to wait a certain amount of time after you turn the vehicle off before you disconnect the battery. It’s not a one-size-fits-all procedure.

There are often other precautions listed in the automaker battery disconnect procedures. For example, you may have to protect certain components. I saw a procedure recently that said you have to have the left front door open when you disconnect the battery. If you don’t, it can trigger some diagnostic trouble codes.

Mike Anderson — From the Desk of Mike Anderson

Industry trainer Mike Anderson worries too few shops are researching automaker information related to disconnecting and reconnecting vehicle batteries

“Every vehicle manufacturer that I’m aware of has certain procedures that must be done when you reconnect a battery.”

MIKE ANDERSON COLLISION ADVICE

Okay, so you followed the disconnect procedures, repaired and the vehicle, and you’re ready to reconnect the battery. Are you researching those procedures every time as well?

I know the answer to that question because it’s something we ask about in our “Who Pays for What?” survey every year. We found less than half of you (46%) say you’re researching those procedures all or most of the time. While I would say even “most of the time” isn’t good enough, I’m even more concerned about the 41% of you who say you do it “some of the time” or “only occasionally.” And the 13% of you who said “never” are just inviting trouble.

Every vehicle manufacturer I’m aware of has certain procedures that must be done when you reconnect a battery. Some of them may be initializations, like for a one-touch feature on a window or sunroof.

I can tell you I recently saw reconnect procedures for a Ford that said the vehicle must be driven for a certain amount of time and distance so the engine can relearn or reprogram itself. I’ve seen other OEMs say when you reconnect the battery you have to do a steering angle sensor procedure.

At Collision Advice, we recently built a new training course focused

just on battery disconnect and reconnect procedures. We found enough content related to this topic to fill more than six hours of classroom instruction to ensure estimators and technicians understand what they need to know.

So now that you’ve read this article, I’m going to ask you again: If I walked into your shop, and asked you if you research the procedures in the OEM repair manual before you disconnect a battery, what would you say?

Oh, and another incentive for taking this important step: The “Who Pays for What?” survey found that among the shops performing the OEM battery reconnect procedures, nearly two-thirds (63%) said they are paid for that labor “always” or “most of the time” by the eight largest national insurers.

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Classic Collision

and 7 miles west of Classic Collision Memorial City.

Source: Classic Collision

By Joey Klender Teslarati

Two new Tesla Cybertruck builds were spotted under wraps by a drone operator at Giga Texas. Tesla is working toward the initial production phases of the Cybertruck at Giga Texas after several production delays. The Cybertruck is set to begin production in mid-2023, Tesla said earlier this year. The Cybertruck was unveiled in late 2019 and has been under development since then. Tesla has revised the dimensions and design of the Cybertruck on several occasions. CEO Elon Musk confirmed earlier this year the company has finalized what it will bring to the market next year.

However, Tesla has kept several prototypes of the Cybertruck floating around the country, making appearances at various places though the past three years. New prototypes were spotted Oct 14 at Giga Texas by drone operator  Joe Tegtmeyer, who noted the Cybertrucks were located near the north portion of the facility.

Tesla has maintained it will build the Cybertruck at Giga Texas, but

Tegtmeyer stated the prototypes arrived when he was finished filming. These prototypes were likely built at Fremont, where the previous prototypes were built.

It is tough to tell with these photographs as there is not much in the photo to compare dimensions of the Cybertruck prototypes to, but these are likely the revised body designs, which are slightly smaller in size compared to the original design Tesla brought to the stage in Hawthorne, CA, in 2019.

Musk said the Cybertruck needed to be smaller to fit in the Boring Company tunnels, but the vehicle has also spurred some debate as to whether it could park in standard parking spaces. “That’s pretty much what it [the Cybertruck] will look like, with very small differences. You know, we adjusted the size a few percent. Like around 3% or smaller. You don’t want it to be a couple of inches too big for the tunnel,” Musk said on the Joe Rogan Experience in 2021. The Cybertruck is set to be manufactured by a massive 9,000ton Giga Press from IDRA. According to import data, Tesla has received shipments to Giga Texas from IDRA for casting equipment.

and calibration software platform. He also authored a book, “Auto Industry Disruption, Who and What is Being Disrupted and What to Do About It.”

In October, Auto Techcelerators was acquired by Opus IVS™, a global diagnostics, ADAS calibration, programming and on-demand remote support company.

that everyone in the automotive, collision, glass, truck and insurance companies can benefit from.

The acquisition will also allow us to expand the sales and marketing of our existing Auto Techcelerators CoPilot suite to existing and future Opus customers in North America, the UK and Australia.

Q:With the sale of the company, what will your new role be?

A:My new title is vice president of ADAS solutions. My focus will be on designing, developing and delivering this platform. It will also include educating the industry on the importance of proper diagnostic, ADAS, calibration and validation processes and documentation.

at 8 p.m. the night before the CIC meeting to reschedule my committee presentation the next morning so I could attend the SEMA Awards Breakfast and receive the award.

When someone like me invents something from an idea and receives this type of award, it validates all the blood, sweat and tears it took to launch a product like Test Drive CoPilot.

It was also very satisfying to have Test Drive CoPilot receive runner-up in the new ADAS Product Category, be selected as a top five finalist in the SEMA Launch Pad competiton, and receive the SEMA Global Media Award.

understand and prepare for future standards.

Q:As the new CIC chairman, what is your goal during your term and what are you most excited about?

A:I am humbled and honored to be selected as the next CIC chairman for 2023 and 2024. I know I have a lot of big shoes to fill but I am excited about the opportunity. Darrell Amberson, the past chair, really raised the bar, so I hope to raise the bar even further. I am most excited about my opportunity to lead an organization and work with committed people who can positively impact the collision industry.

At the 2022 SEMA Show held in November in Las Vegas, NV, Terlep was honored for his hard work and dedication over the years. During the event, he was inducted into the Hall of Eagles, the collision industry’s Hall of Fame; received a SEMA Best New Product Award in the category of Collision Repair & Refinish; was given a Chairperson’s Award for co-chairing the CIECA Emerging Technologies Committee; and was named chairman of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC).

Autobody News recently had the opportunity to ask Terlep about his accomplishments and what he attributes his success to.

Q:What prompted the sale of Auto Techcelerators to Opus IVS and how will this impact Auto Techcelerator’s focus?

A:The sale to Opus IVS started with a phone call from Brian Herron, the CEO, inquiring if we had an interest in selling our company. After multiple phone calls and a trip to the Opus IVS office, it became apparent that our organizations had many synergies and business opportunities if we integrated Opus IVS solutions with our technologies.

Based on the synergies and opportunities, the decision to sell the company to Opus IVS was easy.

I think the acquisition will allow Opus IVS to make a much bigger impact on the industry when it comes to ADAS services, calibrations and validation. When we combine our technologies, we hope to deliver a single end-to-end diagnostic, ADAS, calibration and validation platform

Based on previous experiences with Auto Techcelerators and other corporations, I am sure I will be involved in other aspects of the company, such as business development, marketing, sales, etc. I want to help the company and its employees be successful.

Q:Congratulations on the awards you received during the SEMA Show, including being inducted into the prestigious Hall of Eagles. Only a few distinguished individuals receive this honor for their contributions toward the betterment of the industry. What do you attribute your success to?

A:Humbled… honored… thankful… When I started in this industry in 1984, I had no idea my “collision industry adventure” would take me to where I am today. When I look at the names of previous inductees, I never thought my name would be added to this list of industry icons.

I am thankful and blessed to have met thousands of great people in this industry who have had a positive personal and professional impact on me and allowed me to learn from them.

I attribute my success to hard work, perseverance and always striving to “do the right thing,” as well as listening and being willing to help anyone who needs it.

Q:What was your reaction to receiving the SEMA New Product Award for Test Drive CoPilot?

A:I was at dinner with some of my new Opus teammates when I was told. As you can imagine, I was shocked, excited, happy and satisfied! I had to call Jordan Hendler, the administrator of CIC,

Q:What is the importance of being involved as the co-chair of CIECA’s Emerging Technologies Committee and helping to create new standards for the collision industry?

A:Being co-chair of the Emerging Technologies Committee with Gene Lopez from Seidner’s Collision allows us to “see around the corner” on what and potentially how “the next big thing” will affect our industry and how CIECA needs to get involved. CIECA plays such an important role in data and technology and I believe the Emerging Technologies Committee plays a critical role in helping CIECA

I have a few goals and objectives during my term. This includes continuing to “raise the bar,” as past chairs Jeff Peevy and Darrell Amberson have done over the past four years. I would also like to position CIC as THE industry event to learn from, contribute to, participate in, network, challenge industry norms, debate, have fun and leave each meeting wanting to come back. I will challenge “the body” to become more engaged, more vocal and, when appropriate, more provocative. Overall, I want to leave CIC better than it was when my term ends.

Frank Terlep was inducted into the Hall of Eagles, the collision industry’s Hall of Fame, during the SEMA Show

Collision Repairers Find Cost Savings & Quality Care with SCRS National Health Care Plan

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

Following the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announcement in September that it implemented a national health care solution for members, Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg said the program has received an overwhelmingly positive response from the collision repair industry.

carrier.

Schulenburg, Dunn and Frazer shared details about the program.

Schulenburg: In 2018, the SCRS board began focusing on how we could best serve member requests around human resources and benefits programs. We found that health care was their biggest challenge. They said it costs a fortune, they get bad coverage they can’t use, spend a ton of money, and feel they don’t have better options.

We’ve worked closely with both companies and have been impressed with the importance they have placed on touching base with the industry and ensuring members understand the plan.

Q:

“Since launching the plan, we’ve been able to save companies within the collision repair space close to $650,000 in premiums,” said Schulenburg. “That’s the tip of the iceberg and doesn’t account for the out-of-pocket expenses families can save.”

Schulenburg said the plan is saving companies up to 20% versus the renewals they are receiving from their current insurance providers. Additionally, he said the plan is unique in that it provides $0 deductibles, employee choice in their out-of-pocket maximum, and a list of no-cost services, such as primary care, urgent care, specialty care, labs and imaging, generic prescriptions and mental health care. He said most plans do not cover these services until an employee meets the deductible.

During the time when most employers go through open enrollment, collision repairers could stop by the SCRS booth at the SEMA Show and learn about the health and retirement plans available from two organizations involved in setting up and managing the programs, Decisely and Gravie. They included Decisely’s CEO and co-founder Kevin Dunn and SVP of Business Development Eric Frazer, and Abir Sen, co-founder and co-CEO of Gravie, the insurance

We worked with Decisely, a firm specializing in benefits brokerage and HR services, and launched the SCRS 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) first because it was easier to put together for members. Health care is a complicated area of the industry, so we relied on Decisely to help navigate the available options. We also engaged with Gravie, the plan provider, to learn more about their product Comfort™.

Our goal was to find a national program for SCRS members. We wanted it to reduce costs for employers and employees and improve the quality of care. We needed it to be something that gave our industry a distinct advantage to help recruit entrants. We didn’t need to just compete with larger businesses in our own space; we needed to compete with industries offering more competitive benefit plans.

Q:

Why did you team up with

Decisely and Gravie?

Schulenburg: Decisely was the right partner because it was as important for them as it was for us to find the best plan for the industry.

Gravie’s cofounders also made it clear how important it was to change how people interact with health care. We found they could offer a sustainable plan and deliver average savings between 10 to 15% versus members’ existing plans.

Gravie’s plan utilizes the Aetna and Cigna PPO networks, which most people are familiar with. The result is a familiar experience without the familiar costs and obstacles.

What did you want the plan to include?

Frazer: In 2018, association health plans were a common topic in national news. Regardless of the political climate and the winds of change in regulatory agencies and state insurance organizations, we wanted to find a plan that could rival large corporate buying power. We’re happy we found a solution.

Dunn: Small businesses feel the brunt of high premium costs. Because they often have a small number of employees, they are underwritten with a high premium. It’s unfair that they are not part of a scaled product. That’s what Decisely was able to offer.

We sourced health care like large corporations such as Delta Airlines or FedEx because the collision repair industry is part of an amalgamation of a group of like-minded people. We wanted a plan that could help attract people to join the industry and retain them. We’ve found that an employee will stay at a company three and a half times longer if there is a benefits plan.

Q: What makes the program unique?

Frazer: When basic needs such as primary and specialist care, labs and generic prescriptions are covered at no cost, this meets 88% of health care needs for most people. That’s a 180-degree difference from other programs.

Dunn: With traditional plans, you pay a $50-$200 co-pay as part of your premium. The SCRS plan eliminates those costs, so there is no copay, whether that’s for a doctor’s appointment, an MRI or prescription.

Schulenburg: By offering an affordable insurance plan with no co-pay, you get a healthier population with people who take their prescription drugs and go to the doctor.

This program is about giving health care solutions that people can use today. One of our early adopters employs a technician whose wife is pregnant. When the couple

compared their existing plan to this new one, they found they would save $6,000 in out-of-pocket expenses on the birth of their child. That’s a meaningful difference.

Q: Who is eligible to join?

Schulenburg: Anybody in the collision repair industry can shop the plan and learn about its benefits. Those who choose to participate must be SCRS members.

Q: Why should employers evaluate the plan?

Schulenburg: We encourage all employers, whether they already have a plan, to look at the available options and get a free quote. Imagine if you could leverage a 10% or 15% savings. That is a substantial amount of money that could be reinvested into your business and/or employees.

Dunn: It’s a challenging environment with inflationary concerns and high costs. This plan is great for employers to save on premiums and put money back into employees’ pockets. If you can save a family $6,000, the employee will remember that and be a cheerleader for the company.

With the savings, many employers are taking part of that money and investing it in other plans, such as vision, dental and setting up a life insurance policy.

Frazer: If you want a different result, you must do something different. Gravie’s program SCRS has secured for members is already showing results.

While the plan can help larger SCRS members, it also helps level up the playing field for small- and medium-sized members so they can compete, recruit and retain like a Fortune 500 company.

Schulenburg: There are things that SCRS does that are important as an association and there are things that we can do that really make a difference in people’s lives. This plan can change a lot of people’s lives.

For more information, visit www. scrs.com/healthcare.

Q: Why was the health care plan initiated?

Collision repair businesses had the opportunity to stop by the SCRS booth at the SEMA Show and learn about the health and retirement plans available from two organizations involved in setting up and managing the programs, Decisely and Gravie

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

Since introducing Mitchell Diagnostics in 2017, Mitchell International, Inc., an Enlyte company, has received three patents for collision repair diagnostics.

The most recent patent—11,462,061—was awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in October and announced by Mitchell during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

The company received its first auto diagnostics patent in 2018 and the second in 2021. The third patent covers the unique methods of using cloud-based technology to bring OEM procedures directly to repair technicians using a diagnostic scan tool.

“The company has continued to enhance its platform with patented and patent-pending technologies designed to assist repairers in meeting the needs of today’s complex vehicles,” said Jack Rozint, Mitchell’s SVP of repair sales. “Our Mitchell Diagnostics patents are just one example of the many things that Mitchell is doing to support

the collision industry in delivering proper, safe and efficient repairs on today’s advanced vehicles, helping to enhance profitability and customer satisfaction.”

Rozint said the latest patent covers key diagnostic workflow enhancements. These include the use of server-based technology to directly link Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) from the scan tool to the associated OEM repair procedure for that code.

With Mitchell Diagnostics, this is accomplished via connection of the scan devices to Mitchell’s cloudbased workflow infrastructure.

This feature was deployed in 2020 through an integration between Mitchell Diagnostics and Mitchell TechAdvisor.

“Linking the DTCs from the scan tool to the associated repair procedure can reduce the time it takes to blueprint and perform collision repairs,” said Rozint. “It can also support technicians in their delivery of a proper and safe repair since they have direct access to the relevant OEM procedures without having to look them up manually.”

When available, the repair

procedures are delivered back to the technician on the scan device. Also included is a way for collision repair facilities to systematically document that the necessary diagnostic and repair procedures were performed. Rozint said allowing shops to upload and easily share diagnostic reports with insurance partners can help

the Diagnostics as a Service (DaaS) platform and integration with Mitchell’s cloud-based solutions, repairers can receive assignments, perform scans, access more than 1,000 dynamic calibration routines, take photos, write estimates, link directly to OEM repair procedures based on DTCs, order parts and manage repair orders. They can also upload standardized scan and calibration reports as well as invoices to share with insurers.

The company said Mitchell Diagnostics has been used to perform more than 4 million pre-, inprocess and post-scans, as well as more than 50,000 dynamic and static calibrations.

At this year’s SEMA Show, Mitchell showcased enhancements made to Mitchell Diagnostics.

expedite claims processing and payment. In addition, repairers have the option to make those reports accessible to vehicle owners so they know the work was completed to OEM standards.

Mitchell Diagnostics was launched in 2017 for the collision repair and automotive claims markets. Through

“The need for diagnostics in collision repair is growing as vehicles get more complex and manufacturers make Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) standard on most new models,” said Rozint. “With our DaaS platform and cloud-based technologies, shops have the tools they need to safely return collisiondamaged vehicles to the road. They

“The company has continued to enhance its platform with patented and patent-pending technologies designed to assist repairers in meeting the needs of today’s complex vehicles,”

JACK ROZINT MITCHELL’S SVP OF REPAIR SALES

can also bring work that they used to sublet in-house, introducing new revenue opportunities for their businesses.”

The company also shared with SEMA Show attendees the enhancements made to Mitchell Cloud Estimating. These include support for the repair of electric vehicles (EVs) and a newly introduced product—Mitchell Cloud Estimating TruckMax—for estimating collision damage to medium- and heavy-duty trucks.

He said the patent-pending EV enhancements are especially timely due to the dramatic growth in EV sales and include new features designed to streamline estimate writing for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Looking ahead, Rozint said the company’s focus remains on providing innovative technology that supports proper, safe and efficient collision repairs.

For more information, visit www. mitchell.com/solutions/autophysical-damage.

NABC Recycled Rides® Donates Refurbished Vehicle To Dallas Veteran

A Dallas, TX, veteran and mother of three received a 2014 Nissan Altima to provide her independence and the ability to work and take care of her family, thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program, car donor GEICO and Texas Collision Centers.

the presentation included 1-800 Charity Cars, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

The recipient, Kim JonesSnipes, was selected by the Salvation Army. She is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

She moved to Dallas with her three young children to escape an abusive family situation with only a few belongings. She was working for Instacart, Spark and Doordash, and had an offer to become an Amazon delivery driver, when her vehicle stopped working. The gift of a reliable vehicle will help her on her path to stability and independence, allow her to continue her studies and take care of her children.

business development for Texas Collision Centers. “This was the least we all could do for such a worthy recipient who served our country.”

“We at WIN are so grateful and humbled to be able to participate in such a remarkable program, such as NABC Recycled Rides,” said Kristle Bollans, WIN and NABC board member. “The gift of reliable transportation is something that we can never take for granted. What an honor to stand by our friends at the National Auto Body Council and show our support for the communities where we live and work.”

The presentation was held Sept. 27 at the regional GEICO headquarters in Richardson, TX. GEICO donated the vehicle and the team at Texas Collision Centers refurbished it.

Members of the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) spearheaded the presentation in conjunction with the NABC. Additional partners in

“In addition to her new vehicle, Jones-Snipes was moved to tears upon finding her trunk was stuffed with gift cards and a multitude of items for her entire family including much needed winter coats, clothing and shoes for her three children donated by Texas Collision Centers, WIN, GEICO, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car,” said Shyllo Michaelis, VP of

NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the NABC have donated nearly 3,000 vehicles valued at some $42 million.

Source: NABC

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

Driven Brands’ collision group on Oct. 18 celebrated the opening of CARSTAR Patriot Auto Body Little Rock in Little Rock, AR—its 1,000th collision repair facility in North America.

From entering the collision market in 2015 with the purchase of 240 CARSTAR locations in the U.S., Driven Collision has quadrupled its footprint across North America in just seven years. Driven Collision now services commercial and retail customers in all 48 states within the contiguous U.S. and all 10 Canadian provinces operating under CARSTAR, ABRA and Fix Auto.

Chase Marchese is the owner of CARSTAR Patriot Auto Body Little Rock. It is his third CARSTAR location; he also owns two in Hot Springs, AR. Before entering the collision repair

in 2019.

“I decided to give it a shot, to see what CARSTAR does for me,” Marchese said. “I had just opened my second location. Now all my shops are running at maximum capacity. I opened my new store in Little Rock and was at maximum capacity within three weeks.

“CARSTAR has boosted my business,” Marchese said. “I don’t

reach new incredible communities in this area.”

Marchese always remembered his service in the Army. He selects a veteran each quarter and repairs their vehicle free of charge.

“I’m proud to combine efforts with my paint vendor, BASF, and Driven Brands to help support a local Arkansas veterans’ charity as part of today’s celebration where we’re each donating $1,000 to Veterans Villages of America in honor of the 1,000th location,” Marchese said.

Marchese said he also hires veterans to work in his shops, as the military tends to instill two traits in its servicemembers important for working in collision repair: integrity and attention to detail.

a lot of independent owners, like Marchese, are choosing to join CARSTAR because it has “a lot of boxes on the business plan checked off.”

“We’re a great fit for independents with a growth mindset,” he said.

Fisher said Driven Brands now has 58 ABRA locations, 766 CARSTAR locations and 186 Fix Auto locations.

He said the number adds up to more than 1,000 because Marchese opened his store in early September, and the brands have continued to grow since then.

“We’re still growing as we’re speaking,” Fisher said.

believe there is any way to have gotten to where we’ve gotten without it.”

Marchese said he aims to

Marchese is far from the only miniMSO owner within CARSTAR, said Dean Fisher, collision president, Driven Brands.

“Probably 40%-plus of CARSTAR stores are part of an MSO,” he said.

Sabrina Thring, collision COO, Driven Brands, said joining CARSTAR gives owners access to the model CARSTAR has built that supports MSO growth in any market.

“The sky’s the limit,” she said.

Brian Newberry, VP of development, Driven Brands, added

“CARSTAR has boosted my business, I don’t believe there is any way to have gotten to where we’ve gotten without it.”

CHASE MARCHESE CARSTAR PATRIOT AUTO BODY LITTLE ROCK OWNER

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The National Auto Body Council® made a big splash raindrops and high winds included during its 2022 NABC SEMA Celebration at this year’s SEMA Show on the SEMA Reveal main stage outside the Las Vegas Convention Center.

of the industry leaders who comprise the Hall of Eagles, the collision industry’s Hall of Fame, which honors exceptional individuals whose longterm efforts have reached beyond their jobs and self-interest to make significant contributions towards the betterment of the industry.

The 2021 and 2022 Hall of Eagles inductees are Dan Risley, Petra Schroeder, Doug Webb, Tim Adelmann and Frank Terlep

NABC® Awards Announced NABC® then presented its annual awards the NABC Changing and

The Recipients Included:

Alex Ramirez, U.S. Navy veteran, nominated by Forgotten Not Gone, received a 2017 Nissan Sentra donated by GEICO and repaired by Caliber Collision.

John Bush, U.S. Army veteran, selected by U.S. Vets, received a 2018 Kia Optima donated by GEICO and repaired by Service King/Crash Champions.

Rosemary Smith, U.S. Army veteran, nominated by Welcome Home Troops, received a 2019 Honda HR-V also donated by GEICO and repaired by Service King/Crash Champions.

presentation by Chapman Collision.

Ofelia Valencia Chavez, U.S. Army National Guard active duty, selected by Las Vegas Vet Center, received a 2016 Jeep Renegade donated by Farmers and repaired by Classic Collision.

Angelique Corrente, minister and caregiver for her nephew, nominated by Lake Mead Christian Ministries, received a 2015 Hyundai Tucson donated by Nationwide and repaired by Faulkner Collision.

The celebration showcased NABC annual awards, the Hall of Eagles recipients and the NABC Recycled Rides presentation to nine deserving Las Vegas families. The 2022 NABC SEMA Celebration was held Nov. 2 right in front of the world’s largest automotive aftermarket event. More than 300 NABC members, guests and colleagues joined in the celebration. Alan Taylor of “The Drive” radio network was the emcee for the event.

Saving Lives award and the NABC President’s Award.

The NABC Changing and Saving Lives Award recognizes the individual in the collision repair industry who has delivered exemplary service in the NABC mission of Changing and Saving Lives Every Day, far beyond their role in the industry.

Michael Quinn was selected as the recipient, and his daughter Emily accepted on his behalf.

Recognition Of NABC F.R.E.E. 5,000th First Responder

The event kicked off with the recognition of a special milestone in the NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication™ program, which recently saw it’s 5,000th first responder participate in an education event.

Kyle Medeiros, chair of the NABC F.R.E.E. committee, and George Avery, NABC F.R.E.E. program manager, joined Faulkner Collision and collision center manager April Lausch, and Nationwide Insurance associate vice presidents Scott Dunfee and Scott Sherry, who donated 10 vehicles, to recognize Jamie Keenhold, an EMT and first responder with the Bath, PA, Firefighters and Ambulance Corp.

Hall Of Eagles For 2021 And 2022 Inducted

The next milestone was the recognition

The NABC President’s Award, which formally recognizes companies for their leadership of and commitment to improving the collision repair industry, is designed to honor the NABC member company that supports the vision of the NABC through donation of their time and resources. Enterprise Rent-a-Car was voted as the recipient, and Scott Sampley, vice president of replacement and leisure division for Enterprise, accepted on behalf of the organization.

NABC Recycled Rides Presented To Nine Recipients

Then, attention turned to the NABC Recycled Rides presentation, featuring vehicle donors GEICO, Farmers Insurance®, Travelers, Allstate, Enterprise, Nationwide and Hertz, and collision repair partners Caliber Collision, Fix Auto USA, Crash Champions/Service King, Chapman Collision, Classic Collision, Faulkner Collision and Gerber Collision.

Porsche Harris, single mother with three children, selected by Family Promise of Las Vegas, received a 2017 Kia Sedona donated by Travelers and repaired by Fix Auto USA.

Victoria Earwin, single mother with two children, selected by Family Promise of Las Vegas, received a 2020 Jeep Cherokee donated by Enterprise and prepared for

Tony Carriedo, single father of one, nominated by Family Promise of Las Vegas, received a 2020 Nissan Altima donated by Hertz and repaired by Chapman Collision.

Katherine Hall, single mother of two, selected by Family Promise of Las Vegas, received a 2019 Nissan Sentra donated by Allstate and repaired by Gerber Collision and Glass.

When each recipient opened their trunk they found a car care kit donated by Meguiar’s, and those with young children received car seats donated by Enterprise partner Longhouse Solutions.

Source: NABC

Pictured, left to right, are Debbie Teter, Scott Sampley, Emily Quinn, Stacy Bartnik and Clint Marlow.

The NABC inducted five members into its Hall of Eagles.

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Prestigious Awards Announced at Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast During SEMA 2022

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

Members of the collision repair industry gathered at the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Breakfast on Nov. 2 during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Prestigious awards and recognitions were given out by

Collision, and Frank Terlep, of Opus IVS, received a Chairman’s Award for extraordinary leadership cochairing the Emerging Technologies Committee, which has spun off several other committees to develop standards.

Enterprise Holdings was named CIECA’s Company of the Year. “The company chosen this year truly supports CIECA and its mission in many more ways than just volunteering on committees,” noted Martinez, who recognized Kim DeVallance Caron for her dedication.

CREF

Pictured, left to right, are CIECA Chairman Phil Martinez; CIECA Chairperson’s Award recipients Gene Lopez of Seidner’s Collision Centers and Frank Terlep of Opus IVS; and CIECA Executive Director Paul Barry

the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA), the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Greco Publishing, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS).

“This awards breakfast is important for our industry… and I appreciate the companies, organizations and individuals who have supported this effort,” said Jeff Peevy, the master of ceremonies and I-CAR’s vice president of technical products, programs and services. “It’s a beautiful and very respectful thing that we do to make this industry better for the future generations coming.”

The event was sponsored by participating organizations.

CIECA

CIECA Chairman Phil Martinez, senior technical consultant at Mitchell International, announced CIECA’s awards.

Three Architecture Committee members received an Outstanding Contribution Award for working on the next generation of collision industry standards—CIECA API Standards (CAPIS). They included Committee Chair Dan Webster from Enlyte, Andy Bober from Entegral and Mike Hastings from Car-Part. com.

Gene Lopez, of Seidner’s

Brandon Eckenrode, managing director of CREF, announced Rod Habel, director of training for Sherwin-Williams, received a Fueling the Future Award, which recognizes an individual or company that has gone above and beyond helping the collision repair school program students and instructors.

“He has always been there for schools and students across the country,” said Eckenrode.

Two instructors shared what Habel’s support has meant to them and their programs. Jay Abitz from Freedom High School in Wisconsin said the generous donations from Habel and Sherwin-Williams have really changed the trajectory of their program.

Kenny McMillian from Kennedy King College in Illinois also shared his sentiment. “I would like to express my

globally as the ‘go to’ in collision repair,” said Alicia Figurelli, Greco’s Publishing’s senior vice president.

“My dad passed away in May and this is a memory of him,” said Anderson. “He helped me understand what quality was and customer service, and I’m grateful for that.” He added he was truly humbled and grateful for the award.

I-CAR

I-CAR’s awards were announced by John Van Alstyne, CEO and president. Bill Condron at Sawgrass Ford received the Jeff Silver Memorial Award, named after the industry

Garoutte gave accolades to those in attendance and those who weren’t.

“Our mission and vision are to make the collision industry the best it can be and put on its best face for the communities where we live and work,” said Garoutte.

SCRS

During the last presentation of the morning, Danny Gredinberg, administrator of the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG), received the 2022 March Taylor Kina’ole Award. It was presented by Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS; Barry Dorn, vice president of Dorn’s Body & Paint; Toby Chess; and Dale Matsumoto, president of Auto Body Hawaii

“This is a very special, meaningful award for all of us,” said Schulenburg.

Pictured, left to right, are Barry Dorn, Dorn’s Body & Paint; Dale Matsumoto, Auto Body Hawaii; Toby Chess; Danny Gredinberg, Database Enhancement Gateway, and recipient of the SCRS 2022 March Taylor Kina’ole Award; and SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg

leader who was considered the pioneer of I-CAR Gold Class and Platinum recognition programs.

“Just as Jeff showed the difference one person can make, our award recipient believes there is something he can do about the pervasive talent shortage,” said Van Alstyne. “He’s made it a personal mission to recruit new talent in the industry he loves. Just as important, he takes the time to nurture the newcomers and support the continuing professional development of everyone he works with.”

Eveland Bros., Collision Repair, Inc., a family-owned and operated operation, received the Russ Verona Memorial Award.

When March passed away, Schulenburg said it was important this his legacy of Kina’ole—doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons—was honored, acknowledged and rewarded. It also became a mantra for SCRS and many others.

“True Kina’ole really happens naturally. It has a deeper meaning,” said Matsumoto. “It doesn’t happen in your head. It happens here… in your heart.”

Chess, the 2021 recipient of the March Taylor Kina’ole Award, said March was a great mentor and stood for what Kina’ole is. March regularly arrived at his shop at 5 a.m. to communicate with the information providers on times that were not right in the database.

“When he got up to 200 of them, he said, ‘I can’t do this anymore. They are coming in faster than I can handle,’” recalled Chess. That was the birth of the DEG.

special thanks and gratitude to Rod Habel and all he has done for our program at Kennedy King College over the years, as well as everyone at Sherwin-Williams who embraced our collision program,” he said.

Greco Publishing

Mike Anderson from Collision Advice received Greco’s Publishing’s Industry Icon Award. “Our inaugural industry icon award winner is known locally, regionally, nationally and

“Our award-winning collision repair center invests heavily in the education of its staff who hold I-CAR Platinum credentials and are certified by ASE and dozens of OEMs,” said Van Alstyne. The business has adhered to I-CAR’s Gold Class standard continuously since 1993, making it one of a very small group of shops in the country to reach this milestone.

NABC

Rather than handing out awards, NABC President and CEO Bill

When announcing the award recipient, Dorn said Gredinberg is tireless with the DEG, just like March, getting up early and staying up late to do the right thing for those who don’t have a voice. “[Danny] has shown us time and time again that he cares and he cares selflessly about what goes on and he embodies what Kina’ole is.”

“I love giving back because there was a time when I needed help and I was reaching out to resources that were available through the DEG,” said Gredinberg. “I’m very fortunate to be part of a great industry that has given me so much.”

Bill Condron, left, recipient of the I-CAR Jeff Silver Memorial Award, with I-CAR CEO and President John Van Alstyne, right

By Joey Klender Teslarati

Canoo announced Nov. 2 it will build electric vehicle battery modules at a renovated facility in the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor, OK.

The new facility is expected to expand Canoo’s manufacturing and employment footprint in the region as it continues to ramp production of its electric vehicles. The factory will be capable of approximately 320 MWh of battery module capacity, or .320 GWh.

The battery facility will be located in the same complex as Canoo’s MegaMicro Factory, which will include a paint shop, body shop and general assembly plant when it is finished.

Canoo announced earlier this year it will use Panasonic as a battery cell supplier. The 100,000-square foot facility is set to be renovated in Q4, with manufacturing equipment arriving in Q1 2023.

Canoo will produce proprietary battery modules on a series of high-capacity assembly lines with

Modules in Oklahoma

state-of-the-art machinery. The company said it has already refined and validated battery module manufacturing processes over the past few months and is waiting for the manufacturing equipment to be delivered to the facility.

more news coming very soon.

“The location has been strategically selected due to its proximity to our battery cell partner Panasonic and our future MegaMicro factory,” Aquila said. “In addition, we will be the first EV company to produce our battery modules with Hydro-Power from the Grand River Dam Authority. We will work closely with and hire within the surrounding communities to create an EV Ecosystem in the region.”

CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. strengthened its executive team with the appointment of Michael Silva as chief commercial and customer success officer.

Silva will have overall responsibility to deliver innovative outcomes for CCC’s customers across the P&C insurance economy.

Silva joins CCC from Salesforce, where he was responsible for global and enterprise customers in the financial services segment.

“We are accelerating our hiring plans in Pryor with the establishment of our EV Battery Module Manufacturing Facility, which will produce our proprietary battery modules, energy management system and thermal control technology for our MPP platform,” Canoo Chairman and CEO Tony Aquila said. “This is the first building block for Canoo’s production ramp strategy, with

Canoo has secured numerous orders for its Lifestyle Delivery Vehicles (LDVs), most notably from Walmart, which ordered 4,500 units earlier this year. The agreement between Canoo and Walmart outlines an option for the supermarket chain to buy up to 10,000 units later. The LDV is expected to be on the road by 2023.

Canoo is expected to employ more than 2,000 people at its facilities when completed.

Silva joins CCC following successful tenures at several leading technology companies. He most recently served as SVP of financial services at Salesforce. Prior to Salesforce, Silva held SVP and general manager roles at IBM, Microsoft and United Health. He has successfully led teams and executed growth strategies delivering several billion dollars of annual revenue. Silva also has P&C insurance operating experience, leading a claims department at Chubb Insurance early in his career.

Source: CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.

Governor Announces $100M Investment in Arizona’s Semiconductor Industry

By Tom Joyce The Center Square

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced a $100 million investment in the state’s semiconductor industry, according to a press release from his office.

“Arizona has earned a place as one of the world’s leading destinations for chip design, manufacturing and innovation,” Ducey said in a press release. “With historic opportunities before us, this funding ensures we make the most of this moment and cement our semiconductor leadership for decades to come. My thanks to all our partners in the private sector and higher education for their commitment to expanding our high-tech economy.”

The state hopes to grow its semiconductor industry and hopes that this move will allow such growth to continue, according to the governor’s office.

“Today’s consequential funding capitalizes on that momentum, aiming to establish a worldclass public-private partnership focused on the development and

manufacturing of next-generation semiconductor technologies,” the press release read.

The Arizona Commerce Authority will manage the funding “to further enhance Arizona’s semiconductor infrastructure, workforce and research capabilities,” according to the release.

“Under Gov. Ducey’s leadership, Arizona’s economy has experienced unprecedented diversification and high-tech growth,” Sandra Watson , president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, said in the release. “By investing in our advanced manufacturing workforce and core research capabilities, this funding promises to take that transformation even further.”

The governor’s office praised the passage of the federal CHIPS Act, which it says will “grow private sector investments in semiconductor equipment and materials, design, manufacturing, advanced packaging and cuttingedge research.”

Forbes recently called Arizona “Semiconductor Central,” the governor’s office pointed out. It noted Forbes called the state this after two companies made major investments in the state. Intel announced a $20 billion investment to build two additional fabs in the state in March 2021, creating 3,000 jobs. And before that, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) announced an investment of $12 billion to build a new fab in Phoenix in May 2020, creating 2,000 jobs.

Additionally, the state said it has been a national leader when it comes to semiconductor chip manufacturing expansion.

Additionally, the governor’s office hopes the funding will make the state competitive in attracting research and development opportunities under the CHIPS Act while encouraging further privatesector investment.

“Arizona’s new investment seeks to capitalize on these opportunities and will focus on the accelerated development, commercialization and manufacturing of nextgeneration U.S. semiconductorbased technologies while working alongside industry partners to identify and address research infrastructure and workforce needs,” the news release said.

“Arizona also has helped convene multi-state conversations around the U.S. semiconductor environment through the advancement of the National Semiconductor Economic Roadmap,” the release said. “The coalition, which has plans to publish a final roadmap in the coming weeks, is led by industry and includes active participation from academia and other states.”

Although North American airport-based rental car companies have largely solved the vehicle supply shortage that caused a significant decline in customer satisfaction in 2021, overall customer satisfaction levels have not improved in 2022.

According to the J.D. Power 2022 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study, released Oct. 13, rapidly rising rental fees—which are up 14% this year—are suppressing overall customer satisfaction and driving a steady decline in rental car company brand image.

“When it comes to rental cars, price is the biggest factor affecting satisfaction, and the combined effects of inflation and high fuel prices are really pushing customers to their limits—and that could affect brand image,” said Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at J.D. Power. “If rental car companies want to offset the influence of these cost increases on customer satisfaction and their brand loyalty, they are going to have to work

hard to deliver outsized value by ramping up service.”

Study Ranking

Enterprise ranks highest in overall customer satisfaction for a second consecutive year, with a score of 865. National (859) ranks second and Alamo (837) ranks third. Overall customer satisfaction for the industry is 829, down from 830 in 2021 and 841 in 2020.

The 2022 North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study is based on responses gathered from 8,445 business and leisure travelers who rented a vehicle at an airport location from August 2021 through August 2022. The study was fielded from September 2021 through August 2022.

For more information about the North America Rental Car Satisfaction Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/ resource/north-america-rentalcar-satisfaction-study.

Source: J.D. Power

“With historic opportunities before us, this funding ensures we make the most of this moment and cement our semiconductor leadership for decades to come. ”

DOUG DUCEY ARIZONA GOVERNOR

Angie Bogardus, ext #6257

Dylan Backstrom, ext #6353

Billy Blackmon, ext #6210

Jose Casarez, ext #6322

Louie Del Campo, ext #6334

Chris Lewis, ext #6335

Mike McCoy, ext #6264

David McFarland, ext #6271

Danny Pitt, ext #6200

Gary Pruett, ext #6272

Pat Rawn, ext #6263

Tony Shepherd, ext #6342

Gene White, ext #6273

ALLDATA’s ADAS Quick Reference Tool Receives SEMA New Product Award in ADAS

By Stacey Phillips Auotbody News

Founded in 1986, ALLDATA is known for providing OEM automotive repair and collision information. The company said more than 400,000 technicians use ALLDATA’s software solutions for faster diagnostics, updated OEM information covering 95% of vehicles on the road, and simpler shop management.

At the November SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, ALLDATA received a 2022 SEMA New Product Award in the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) category for its new ADAS Quick Reference tool. The annual awards program recognizes cutting-edge new products introduced to the automotive specialty-equipment market.

The company previously received a PTEN Innovation Award this year.

During the show, ALLDATA representatives shared information about the company’s latest enhancements and provided live demonstrations of its OEM repair information products, diagnostic tools and shop management software, including ADAS Quick Reference, ALLDATA Inspections, and its new partnership with Nexpart Multi-Seller.

“We’re always looking for ways to help shops boost productivity and streamline the workflow process,” said Satwinder Mangat, president of ALLDATA.

ALLDATA Collision®, which makes it easy for customers to find ADAS repair information in one place.

A:ALLDATA’s ADAS Quick Reference provides one-click access to vehicle-specific ADAS information direct from the OEMs.

Shops can easily filter by system, component or location. The ADAS Quick Reference tool links directly to the ADAS system or component by name, such as Backup Camera or Lane Departure System. It also provides the location of the component, identifies removal/ replacement requirements that could result in extra labor for calibration or sublet costs, and displays basic calibration information, required tools and prerequisites for servicing ADAS components.

Having all the ADAS information in one place helps shops save time and prepare more accurate estimates and detailed blueprints based on OEM requirements and procedures.

vehicle, look up or add a new customer, check off a digital inspection sheet, and email it to the customer—all in minutes.

The tool works with ALLDATA Repair®, ALLDATA Collision® and

invoices in real-time.

ALLDATA Inspections gives shops flexibility to check in customers at their vehicles, identify services that are required or due soon, and deliver trustworthy advice on the spot for a better overall shop experience.

A:We’re excited about ALLDATA Find-A-Fix, a new information source that provides top-ranked diagnostic solutions for a specific vehicle and Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) based on data-driven analysis for trusted repairs. It’s currently included at no additional cost for a limited time with ALLDATA Repair® and ALLDATA Collision®.

Autobody News had the opportunity to talk to Mangat about the award and the company’s new products.

Q:What was your reaction to receiving the SEMA New Product Award?

A: We were thrilled! ADAS was a huge topic at SEMA, and we were honored to be recognized for this latest update to ALLDATA Repair® and

A:It was great to be back in full force for the first time since 2019. There was a ton of buzz about ADAS this year. That was certainly the case at the ALLDATA booth, where attendees lined up for demos of the new award-winning ADAS Quick Reference tool.

We were also excited to showcase our new partnership with Nexpart Multi-Seller. The tool makes it easy to add parts from leading vendors to an estimate, check local product availability in real-time, and quickly order from preferred suppliers.

ALLDATA Shop Manager now includes Nexpart Multi-Seller parts ordering, providing 24/7 access to leading suppliers in one place, including the AutoZone catalog.

In addition, show attendees could see how ALLDATA Inspections, another new tool, enables shops to jumpstart the customer check-in process curbside and perform digital vehicle inspections (DVIs).

ALLDATA Shop Manager, so that the entire service team can share customer and vehicle documentation for estimates, repair orders and

Another product on the horizon is ALLDATA Repair Forecaster. It generates a list of known failures for the next 12 months or 10,000 miles based on year/make/model/engine (YMME), location and odometer reading. This allows customers to use information from ALLDATA to share predicted repairs with customers.

For more information, visit www. alldata.com/en.

ALLDATA Inspections makes it easy to greet customers at the

Satwinder Mangat, president of ALLDATA, accepts the 2022 SEMA New Product Award for the company’s new ADAS Quick Reference tool

ALLDATA team members at the 2022 SEMA Show included, left to right, Christopher Mochan, Ric Martinez, Robert Gomez, Pat Castillo, Daniel Dimapasoc, Bryan Goux, Ryan Deugaw, Diane Flood, Crystal Brahm and Terry Louizos

Q: What are some features of the product that will benefit collision repair shops?

Q: What did you showcase during the SEMA Show?

Q: How will ALLDATA Inspections help collision repairers?

A:

Q: Is there anything you would like to share about ALLDATA’s future focus?

By Stacey Phillips Auotbody News

One of the biggest challenges for collision repair shops across the country is locating OEM repair procedures quickly and costeffectively. To help technicians find the information they need to fix a car properly, SUN Collision Repair Information software was created in 2019 by SUN®, a brand of Snap-on® Incorporated.

Fast forward to the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where the company shared information about the ease in which its software can help repairers locate OEM repair procedures and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) information to help increase efficiency and profits.

“Some vehicles aren’t repaired properly using OEM procedures,” said Chris Bonneau, business manager for SUN. “That could put somebody’s life at risk. We want to make it easier and simpler for shops to fix cars faster, and according to OEM specifications, so they are safe to drive.”

Since the launch of SUN Collision, Bonneau said the company has

been working to ensure the product is user-friendly for technicians and shops, so they can spend less time with the software program and more time fixing vehicles.

“When they are in our program, they aren’t making money,” said Bonneau. “We want them to get the information they need from the OEM and translate that into the repairs, so they aren’t having to spend so much time searching for the content and the right procedures.”

While talking with shops, Bonneau learned many think information is difficult to find because each website is configured differently and requires a unique login. “They also feel they can’t afford to pay for multiple OEM subscriptions,” said Bonneau. “SUN Collision is a cost-effective way to access information in one place.”

The web-based, mobile-friendly product provides comprehensive OEM repair information and procedures for body and frame, paint and finish, and materials for all makes and models of vehicles. To help users find information quickly, the 1Search Plus search engine presents information in a graphical layout. The product also provides interactive wiring diagrams and a link to ADAS

SCRS’ Repairer Driven Education At SEMA Gets Support Boost from AirPro Diagnostics

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) recognized AirPro Diagnostics as a prominent sponsor of the Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit and the digital delivery of the education program following the SEMA Show.

To register for RDE at the SEMA Show, visit www.scrs.com/ rde

“Given the accelerated pace of vehicle complexity we have an obligation to assist repair facilities on the educational front,” said Michael Quinn, president of AirPro Diagnostics. “Education is a key cornerstone in AirPro’s values. The industry benefits from education series like what SCRS has built with RDE alongside SEMA as they bring leading subject matter experts to interact with attendees in-person, benefiting the repair community. We are proud to be a part of it.”

AirPro can be found exhibiting at the show in the Upper South Hall, Booth 33225.

“AirPro has supported this series year after year, prioritizing the importance of collision industry education,” said Bruce Halcro, SCRS chairman. “We are grateful for their support, and the increased emphasis they’ve placed on being a part of programs that lift the industry up through information. Our members are encouraged to stop by their booth and let them know it is noticed and appreciated!”

For more details on each session, to register or add RDE tracks to your Show Planner, click here.

Source: SCRS

information.

“As ADAS technology becomes more complex and interconnected, repairing ADAS-equipped vehicles presents a greater challenge for collision repair shops,” explained Bonneau.

He said SUN Collision provides the details needed to make it easy to diagnose, repair and calibrate ADAS components such as sensors, cameras, radar systems and control modules.

The database includes a complete lineup of OEM-licensed procedures for both collision and mechanical repairs for 26 standard makes, and is updated regularly. Collision information covers 2004 through 2022 vehicles, and mechanical information dates back to 1964.

Bonneau also shared information about the Tru-Point™ ADAS calibration system launched in January 2021 by John Bean, part of the Snap-On family. The company recently announced purchasers of the calibration system will receive a complimentary two-month subscription to SUN Collision.

“Together, SUN and TRU-Point products provide an all-in-one solution for OEM collision and repair

procedures to help technicians increase productivity,” said Bonneau.

In September, the company announced its partnership with Collision Automotive Repair Services, Inc. (CARS) to offer its collision repair information to members at a discounted price.

Established in 1992, CARS is a stock-based business cooperative that brings collision repair facilities together with vendors and suppliers to gain discounts, rewards, and training on products and services used in their shops.

“We’re excited to partner with the CARS Cooperative and offer a substantial discount to members throughout the United States,” said Bonneau. “Not only will members greatly benefit from the auto repair software, but they’ll also receive a customized training program and best-in-class support to help improve productivity and grow their bottom line.”

For more information, visit suncollision.com.

How Will Results from SCRS ‘Blend’ Study Be Used Moving Forward?

By John Yoswick Autobody News

With the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ release in November of the results of its hands-on study demonstrating that blending of a panel takes an average of 31% more time than a full panel refinish—rather than the 50% less time allocated in the three estimating systems— the association was asked during CIC where the issue goes moving forward.

“Here’s the beauty of CIC: That’s up to you,” Aaron Schulenburg of SCRS said during the conference held during SEMA in Las Vegas. “Our goal was to capture data, and present it in a transparent manner, and to share it with the industry so you can have the dialogue you need to have. I don’t know where that occurs or how that occurs, but I think there’s a big disconnect between what we’ve identified and what exists today.”

The study came about because the three estimating system providers each establish its own refinish labor allowance for any given panel, and while those labor times

for the same panel may differ from one estimating system to another, all three companies use 50% as a blend calculation.

“Our members have long challenged that,” Schulenburg said this past summer, before the study was completed.

The association’s 35-page report on the study—which can be downloaded at scrs.com/

a full refinish and a blend panel using the same paint colors on new F-150 panels supplied by Ford.

Across all colors, the average blend time among the five paint lines were between about 128% and about 134% of full refinish time.

“What’s remarkable to me, with all the different [paint] companies and [their] different processes, is how close the [percentage differences] are among all of the companies,” Robb Power, senior manager of refinish solutions for PPG, said at CIC. “I would have never thought it would come in that close. To me, that adds validity to what we see in those results.”

to capture credible data, to have real conversation, that helps motivate positive change in the industry,” Schulenburg said.

Attracting And Training New Employees

Another panel discussion at CIC in Las Vegas focused on employee recruitment and retention.

Jim Guthrie, president of Car Crafters, which operates five shops in

blendstudy—details how it was conducted, with painters employed by each of the five major paint companies following their company’s process guidelines for spraying both

Gas Demand Declines As Recession Fears Weigh Down Oil Market Expectations

By Andrew Gross AAA

Fears of a global economic recession led to a major drop in the price of crude, down $7, which helped to minimize pump price increases the week of Oct. 10.

Meanwhile, domestic gasoline demand decreased as fewer drivers fueled up in the first half of October. According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand decreased nationally from 9.47 million b/d to 8.28 million b/d, and total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 2 million bbl to 209.5 million bbl.

Lower gasoline demand, amid increasing supply and fluctuating oil prices, has contributed to the national average moving downward. If demand continues to drop coupled with a slide in oil prices, drivers could see increases in prices at the pump start to slow and even come down through the week of Oct. 17.

The national average pump price for a gallon of gas decreased three cents to hit $3.88. The Oct. 17 national average of $3.88 is 20 cents higher than a month ago and 56 cents more than a year ago.

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases: California (-28 cents), Wisconsin (-23 cents), Oregon (-19 cents), Nevada (-18 cents), Michigan (-16 cents), Washington (-14 cents), Alaska (-12 cents), Indiana (-12 cents), Ohio (-12 cents) and Arizona (-10 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Georgia ($3.25), Texas ($3.30), Mississippi ($3.33), South Carolina ($3.37), Arkansas ($3.38), Tennessee ($3.38), Louisiana ($3.40), Florida ($3.40), Alabama ($3.43) and Missouri ($3.46).

Source: AAA

Schulenburg said it’s clearly an issue that needs to be addressed with the information providers, who were invited to attend the SCRS study but who were “not present” over the two days. He said he feels it is an appropriate topic for CIC’s Paint and Materials Committee to address moving forward, but regardless, he said, it “can and should be addressed with the information providers [as] an issue that has been brought to them through our work with different associations…for years.”

“That was the goal from the onset,

New Mexico, said his company uses a “recruitment card” as part of its effort to attract new employees. Guthrie said all his employees have the cards, which include a QR code that can be scanned to link to the company’s “career page” where someone can fill out and submit an application.

Robb Power of PPG said the consistency in the results SCRS blend study among five different paint manufacturers “add validity” to the findings

“That was the goal from the onset, to capture credible data, to have real conversation, that helps motivate positive change in the industry.”

AARON SCHULENBURG SCRS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Guthrie said collision repair businesses can develop an internal promotion to encourage employees to hand out the card to potential hires. If a referred potential employee gets hired and stays for six months, the employee who handed out that card may get $500, for example, “and if they stay another six months, they get another $500,” Guthrie said. “Whatever the promotion is that you

through bumper tools, door panels and bumper repair.” Students learn a skill, then can use it in the shop.

“It takes somebody off the street, teaches them the basics, the theory, and then they go put it into practice,” he said.

Once a student in the program can demonstrate the skill, and has the tools to perform it, they are “signed off for that particular function, whether it’s drilling spot welds or whatever.”

Within two or three years, he said, students are “advanced to a point where they’re basically a B-tech. It’s a way they can earn while they learn.”

Reasons Why Insurers Receive A Low Grade

a prior year’s survey completed by more than 1,100 shops, showed differences exist even among insurance companies receiving a similar grade.

Not surprisingly, some of the reasons commonly cited by shops for giving an insurer a low grade were payment-related issues: an insurer seeks “unreasonable” discounts on parts or labor, or is viewed as “slow to pay.”

However, many of the reasons are primarily process-related rather than payment-related. While only 3% of shops grading one insurer said they gave that insurer a “C-” or lower

insurers, but only 27% of shops felt that was true about one of the other insurers receiving a similar low grade.

These findings, Yoswick said, offer insurers “something of a roadmap for improving their relationship with shops without thinking that the only thing that would make shops happier is paying them more money.”

Change In CIC Leadership

Also at CIC in Las Vegas, Darrell Amberson was recognized at the end of his two years serving as chairman of the conference.

want to come up with within your own shop. The recruitment card has been a neat little tool for us.”

Guthrie said his company tries to have six to 12 entry-level employees

Also at CIC, John Yoswick of CRASH Network shared data from that publication’s annual “Insurer Report Card” survey, showing the reasons shops give some insurance companies’ claims practices a lower grade can be based more on the processes that insurer uses rather than payment-related concerns.

The Insurer Report Card allows collision repair professionals to grade the insurance companies they

“We want to thank you for all you’ve done because you’ve certainly raised the bar,” Jeff Hendler, a past CIC chairman who has been CIC administrator, told Amberson.

panel discussion at CIC included representatives of all the paint companies that participated in the SCRS “blend study.”

because they view that company’s claims staff as inexperienced or poorly trained, for example, more than one in four shops cited that as the reason they gave one of the other insurers a similarly low grade. Almost 80% shops said one insurer requires more digital images than other

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“Together with our committees and chair people, we work to elevate our industry to higher levels of performance, professionalism, technical expertise and business acumen,” Amberson said of CIC in his closing comments. “I believe we are making a difference.”

Frank Terlep of Auto Techcelerators will begin his term as CIC chairman at the next meeting, being held Jan. 19 in Palm Springs, CA.

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Darrell Amberson was recognized at CIC in Las Vegas as he concluded his two years as chairman of the conference

A

ARIZONA

Toyota Auto Insurance Comes To Texas

Toyota Auto Insurance, the automaker’s branded insurance product, is now available to customers residing in Texas.

Introduced to select markets in 2021, Toyota Auto Insurance offers customers quality, customizable coverage at affordable rates.

Expanding into the Lone Star State represents a major milestone for Toyota Auto Insurance. Not only is Texas the nation’s second most populous state, it’s also home to Toyota’s North American headquarters and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX). The San Antonio manufacturing facility produces the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck and Sequoia three-row SUV.

Toyota Auto Insurance offers consumers a quick, easy and flexible policy purchase process via Toyota’s state-of the-art mobile app, call center agents, participating Toyota dealerships and the ToyotaAutoInsurance.com website.

Toyota Auto Insurance customers receive best-in-class service, and benefit from more than 90 years of insurance insights,

knowledge and award-winning claims support---all provided by Toggle, part of Farmers Insurance, one of the nation’s leading multiline insurer groups. Customers also receive an immediate upfront 5% discount and options like Toyota Genuine Parts for repairs when available.

passengers. Non-Toyota vehicles in the customer’s household can be covered as well.

What’s more, Toyota Auto Insurance works with Toyota Certified Collision Centers to get customers back on the road as quickly as possible. The product seamlessly integrates with Toyota vehicle benefits such as ToyotaCare Roadside Assistance, so customers can avoid paying for something their Toyota may already provide.

Toyota Auto Insurance is customizable based on how customers use their Toyota vehicle and their lifestyle, with a wide range of options including coverage for rideshare drivers or pet

Hyundai Recalls 2018 Santa Fe Sports After 4 Fires

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

A 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ABS module recall involves more than 44,000 SUVs following at least four Santa Fe Sport fires.

According to Hyundai, owners of 2018 Santa Fe Sport SUVs should park outside and away from anything that could burn.

The anti-lock brake system could cause a short-circuit with the result of an engine compartment fire.

Hyundai said a fire can occur whether the 2018 Santa Fe Sport is in motion or parked.

An electrical short could cause a significant overcurrent in the ABS module which is what causes a fire. Both Hyundai and Kia have been investigating the root cause of the fires and engineers still haven’t tracked down the real problem.

The 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ABS module recall is an expansion of a February recall of about 425,000 Hyundai vehicles. The recalled 2018 Hyundai vehicles have vehicle

identification numbers not included in the February ABS module fire recall.

In August, Hyundai was notified about a legal matter regarding a 2018 Santa Fe Sport fire and the SUV wasn’t included in the February ABS module recall.

In October Hyundai learned about another 2018 Santa Fe Sport fire and the automaker learned SUVs built between May 2017 and May 2018 had been excluded from the recall.

Hyundai warns 2018 Santa Fe Sport owners to be aware of any engine compartment fires, melting or burning odors and illuminated warning lights.

Although four 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ABS module fires have been reported, no crashes or injuries have occurred.

Hyundai Santa Fe Sport ABS module fire recall notices are expected to be mailed Dec. 26, and dealers will replace the ABS multi-fuse.

Owners of 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sports may call the automaker at 855-371-9460 and ask about recall number 237.

Toyota Auto Insurance is underwritten in Texas by Texas County Mutual Insurance Company. “We’re thrilled to expand Toyota Auto Insurance to customers in our home state,” said Rob Spencer, Toyota Insurance COO. “Texas drivers will now be able to benefit from our excellent coverage options and commitment to providing outstanding customer service. We look forward to offering Toyota Auto Insurance in even more states in the near future.”

Toyota Auto Insurance is now available in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, South Carolina and Texas. Additional states will be added in the coming months.

Interested customers can visit ToyotaAutoInsurance.com to obtain a quote and purchase insurance. Customers may also call (877) 249-0086 with any questions.

Source: Toyota Insurance

Dynabrade, Inc., a leading industrial abrasive power tool manufacturer, announced it earned ISO 9001:2015 certification for its quality management system.

ISO 9001:2015 is a globally recognized quality management standard developed and published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The certification provides a model for companies of all types and sizes to use in creating an effective quality management system.

Dynabrade’s ISO 9001:2015 certificate (#QSR-1915) was issued by Quality System Registrars, the first U.S.accredited registrar of ISO certifications.

Dynabrade’s certification is for providing quality abrasive power tools and process solutions in all industry markets that require material removal and surface finishing.

Source: Dynabrade

Spanesi Americas Introduces FLASH Portable Pulling Column

By Stacey Phillips Auotbody News

Built to be portable, powerful and flexible, the FLASH Portable Pulling Column was introduced by Spanesi Americas for the collision repair industry. The company showcased the patent-pending product during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV.

Timothy W. Morgan, COO of Spanesi Americas, Inc., said the FLASH is a vacuum-powered tower that uses the shop’s compressed air system (minimum of 102psi required) to create a vacuum seal to the flooring surface, delivering 550 pounds of pulling force using a heavyduty ratcheting system. The FLASH features an adjustable pulling height setup providing precise pulling for straight or down-pulling applications.

“This is a game-changer for collision repair facilities,” said Morgan. “Technicians no longer need to move the vehicle to a bench, frame rack or floor pot to perform light pulling duties on vehicles.”

With the FLASH, he said technicians have the flexibility to repair vehicles in tight spaces with the exact angles needed to remove vehicle damage. Using built-in rear

wheels allows the FLASH to be relocated within the repair facility so there is no need for anchoring to floor pots or moving the vehicle to a frame rack to perform a dent pull.

“With shop footprints becoming smaller, you need to maximize space,” said Morgan. “The FLASH is easy to use and works anywhere, so it is time efficient and can help shops save costs.”

Motors, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada.

Spanesi Americas also displayed its award-winning TOUCH electronic measuring system, the 106EXT structural straightening bench, the MULTIBENCH single-bay repair solution, the Q5.2 three torch MIG/ MAG welding machine, and the PULL UP! repair systems for glue-based cosmetic and structural pulling.

With a range of equipment built for collision repairers, Morgan shared that in late October, Spanesi America’s received OEM certification approval from Lucid Motors. Approved Spanesi products include the 106 and 106EXT Structural Straightening Benches and the TOUCH electronic measuring system. Each piece of equipment underwent stringent reviews for data accuracy by Lucid Motors before being approved for the program.

The company is working to ensure it is at the forefront of vehicle repairs.

industry. Founding partners include the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), BASF and KTL Restorations.

“Spanesi has helped spread the word about Operative Talent and they are also donating equipment to get shops involved with supporting the raffle,” said Brandon Eckenrode, CREF’s managing director. “In addition to Operative Talent, Tim and Spanesi have been long-standing CREF supporters.”

As a sponsor, Spanesi plans to raffle a measuring system and donate the money to Operative Talent. The team also hopes to bring young people into their Chicago, IL, facility and teach them how to measure vehicles and weld.

During SEMA, Spanesi Americas raffled off four FLASH portable pulling columns. The winners were Gene Lopez, Siedner’s Collision Center, CA; Manuel Lim, Fixit Auto Body, CA; Nicole Craig, Coachworks, AZ; and Daniel Trevisanutto, Half-Way

Minnesota Law Firm Files Class Action Complaint on Behalf of Kia and Hyundai Theft Victims

Hellmuth & Johnson announced its clients have brought a class action against Kia America, Inc. and Hyundai Motor America following a nationwide rash of thefts that revealed a major defect in certain Kia and Hyundai models.

According to the complaint, Kia and Hyundai did not install engine immobilizers in many of their vehicles produced before November 2021. These vehicles are now sitting targets and continue to be frequently stolen across the country.

Manufacturers have regularly installed engine immobilizers in vehicles for decades as a common theft deterrent. Engine immobilizers prevent the engine from starting without using the vehicle’s authorized key. The system is based on a unique key or fob that contains a transponder chip that transmits a specific code to start the engine. The engine control unit does not activate the fuel system or the ignition circuit if the code in the key or fob does

not match.

Law enforcement acknowledges these thefts are part of a nationwide trend, in part due to social media tutorials that show thieves how to exploit the defect, allowing them to bypass the ignition by breaking off the dash panels and simply using a USB port to start the car. Despite knowing and being made aware of the threat these vehicles pose, Kia and Hyundai have failed to provide any permanent solutions to consumers. Their conduct violates consumer protection laws and breaches the companies’ warranty obligations.

For more information about the case, contact Hellmuth & Johnson partner  Anne T. Regan at (952) 460-9285.

The vehicle owners are represented by Anne T. Regan, Nathan D. Prosser and Lindsey L. Larson of Hellmuth & Johnson, Minneapolis, MN.

Source: Hellmuth & Johnson

“We understand the importance of working closely with the auto manufacturers to be able to repair a car properly,” said Morgan.

Another development is Spanesi America’s partnership with Operative Talent. Launched this year, Operative Talent was formed to engage and

“They need hands-on experience to determine if this is the path they want to take,” said Morgan, who started in the industry when he was 14 years old and wants to encourage young people to learn about the opportunities available in the industry. “We’re really excited about being part of this initiative.

“The industry has been given a bad rap that it’s a dirty job, but it’s not,” he said. “It can be a very fulfilling career.”

For more information, visit www. spanesi-americas.com.

Members of the Spanesi Americas team included, pictured, left to right: Timothy Morgan, Jeramy Holloway, Aaron Sworden, Fred Randazzo, Robert Wells, Constantino Uliano and Karl Kirschenmen

Genuine

ARIZONA

Horne Kia Gilbert 877-450-9001 (480) 813-3383 Fax M-F 7am - 6pm hkparts@hornekia.com www.hornekia.com

ARKANSAS

Crain Kia Sherwood 501-542-5230 (501) 542-6133 Fax M-F 7:30am - 6pm timhill@crainteam.net www.crainkia.com

LOUISIANA

All Star Kia of Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge 5740 Siegen Lane 225-490-8000 (225) 490-8014 Fax

OKLAHOMA

Ferguson Advantage Imports Broken Arrow 800-880-8815 (918) 317-6280 Fax M-F 7am - 6pm

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Ancira Kia San Antonio 210-509-2197 (210) 509-2198 Fax M-F 8am-6pm Sat 8am-3pm tstewart@ancira.com www.ancirasa.com

Archer Kia Houston 1-888-983-1425 (281) 983-1437 Fax M-F 7am-6pm Sat 9am-2pm www.archerkia.com

Bob Utter Kia Sherman 903-892-5967 (903) 891-7304 Fax M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 7:30am - 1pm Mike.martin@bobutterford.com www.bobutterford.com

De Montrond Kia

Houston 281-877-3060 281-872-3909 (281) 872-3914 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 7:30am-3pm www.demontrondkia.com

Huffines Kia McKinney McKinney 469-525-4354 M-F 7am-7pm brian.chadduck@huffines.net brydan.reid@huffines.net

UTAH

Findlay Kia St. George 435-817-4245 (435) 634-1229 Fax

M-F 8am - 6pm Sat 8am - Noon

*Kia Genuine replacement parts sold but not installed by an Authorized Kia Dealer are covered for 12 months from purchase date, regardless of mileage, for the part only, and any labor charge is the consumer’s responsibility.

Kia Parts* are specifically manufactured from original engineering specs to ensure the same exceptional quality, performance and safety as when you first drove your Kia off the lot. Plus, they’re covered by our 12-month Replacement Parts Limited Warranty.

Some Americans Consider Driving Less, Skipping Coverage in Face of Rising Insurance Costs: Report

Insurify released its 2022 Auto Insurance Trends Report: Who’s Paying More for Coverage, the first part of a two-part report that comprehensively covers 2022’s unique car insurance landscape.

Insurify’s report leverages more than 40 million car insurance rates from proprietary car insurance applications across the U.S. It details who is paying more for car insurance in 2022, surveys drivers on how they’re managing rising vehicle costs and provides drivers with expert advice on how they can save.

The report showed the average American is spending $1,705 per year on auto insurance in 2022, up 4% from 2021 and a whopping 17% from 2020.

Michigan drivers pay the most for car insurance, spending $2,510 per year on average $805 more than the national average and $1,748 more than the yearly average of $762 in Hawaii, the cheapest state for auto insurance. Across the country, drivers pay 5% less for coverage just for being married, and up to 17% less if they own their home.

“Since 2016, Insurify has provided Americans with the most

comprehensive and accurate selection of auto insurance quotes,” said  Snejina Zacharia, Insurify’s CEO and founder. “Our annual data reflects the state of the nation’s economy through an insurance lens, and our 2022 report illustrates how rising inflation and recent interest rate hikes are affecting the American public and how they are responding.”

Key Findings From The Report Include:

• Luxury, Electric Cars Priciest to

Insure

• Tesla Model 3 owners have the second-most expensive car insurance premiums of any vehicle model in 2022, according to Insurify data. Model 3 drivers are spending $3,040 per year for auto insurance $1,335 more than the national average. The Infiniti Q5 is the most expensive vehicle to insure in 2022 with an average premium of $3,149 per year.

• Northeast Drivers Pay Up for Coverage

Northeast drivers are also paying more for car insurance in 2022.

Five Northeast states New York, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut

and New Jersey rank among the 10 most expensive states for auto insurance. The average driver in one of these states is paying $2,220 per year for coverage, $515 more than the national average.

Ways Americans Are Considering Cutting Insurance Costs

In the face of rising vehicle ownership costs, the report also found 65% of Americans are considering driving less and 10% are thinking about dropping their car insurance coverage altogether, despite the serious legal and financial risks of driving without insurance.

Americans Are Additionally Considering The Following Actions To Save On Vehicle Insurance, Fuel And Maintenance Expenses In 2022:

• 30% of drivers are thinking about purchasing a hybrid or electric vehicle

• 30% of drivers are considering switching to a different insurance provider

• 16% of drivers are thinking about moving to a different location with

better public transportation and walkability

For Americans, the insurance market’s current volatility likely won’t stabilize until at least mid-2023, according to  Betsy Stella, Insurify’s vice president of insurance partnerships.

“Based on our comprehensive research and feedback from over 100 carriers, the general consensus is that it will be eight to 12 months [from fall 2022] before the market stabilizes,” Stella said. “Some think it could be several years before a soft market returns.” With prices potentially on the rise for the foreseeable future, Insurify’s experts recommend comparing quotes from at least four to five insurance companies every six months or so to find the best policy for their needs.

Drivers should also explore any discounts for which they might qualify, including bundling home and auto insurance and taking a senior driving training course. According to Insurify data, a single discount can lower car insurance premiums by up to 15%, amounting to yearly savings of $258 for the average driver

Source: Insurify

Driven Brands Holdings Inc. on Oct. 26 reported financial results for the third quarter ended Sept. 24.

For the third quarter, revenue increased 39% versus the prior year to $516.6 million. Systemwide sales increased 22% versus the prior year to $1.5 billion, with 9% net store growth and an increase in consolidated samestore sales of 11.9%.

Net income increased 16% versus the prior year to $38.4 million or $0.23 per diluted share in the third quarter.

Adjusted net income increased 26% to $55.0 million or $0.32 per diluted share.

“We continue to have solid momentum entering the fourth quarter, building on our strong performance year-to-date. We are growing, taking share and generating cash, leveraging our proven playbook for growth with a robust pipeline of franchise and greenfield openings,” said Jonathan Fitzpatrick, president and CEO.

“The benefits of our scale

and breadth of our offering deepen our competitive moat and differentiate our business, driving unit expansion, same store sales growth and cost savings,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our continued execution combined with the strength of our business model gives us confidence that we are on track to meet or exceed our long-term plan.”

Third Quarter Highlights

Comparisons are third quarter of 2022 ended Sept. 24 versus third quarter of 2021 ended Sept. 25, 2021, unless otherwise noted:

• Revenue increased 39% to $516.6 million, driven by samestore sales and net store growth.

• Consolidated same-store sales increased 11.9%.

• The company added 101 net new stores during the quarter.

• Net income increased 16% to $38.4 million.

• Adjusted net income increased 26% to $55.0 million.

• Adjusted EBITDA increased 32% to $129.4 million.

Source: Driven Brands

Colorado

Emich Chevrolet

LAKEWOOD

800-274-1127 303-986-2245 303-989-3490 Fax M-F 7am - 6pm; Sat 8am - 4pm gmcollision@emichauto.com www.emichchevrolet.com

John Elway Chevrolet

ENGLEWOOD

800-525-5096 303-761-5161 303-789-6737 Fax M-F 7am - 6pm; Sat 8am - 4pm wholesaleparts@elwaydealers.net

New Mexico

Garcia Cadillac GM Parts

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800-432-6944

505-884-9054 505-889-2950 Fax M-F 7:30am - 5:30pm Sat 9am - 2pm parts288126@garciacars.com

Quality Buick GMC

ALBUQUERQUE 505-348-1234 505-247-7490 Fax M-F 7am - 5:30pm Parts@qualitydeal.com

Oklahoma

Marc Miller

Buick GMC

TULSA

800-456-4700 918-828-7070 Parts Direct 918-828-7094 24 Hr. Fax M-F 8am - 5:30pm jerad@marcmillertulsa.com www.marcmillerbuickgmc.com

Texas

Atzenhoffer Chevrolet VICTORIA

800-627-3501 361-575-0171 361-578-8082 Fax M-F 7:30am - 6pm rick@atzenhoffer.com

Lawrence Hall Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac ABILENE 325-692-3590 325-698-7310 Fax M-F 7:30am - 6pm dgarner@lawrencehall.com

Northside Chevrolet SAN ANTONIO 833-691-1440 210-308-8683 Fax M-F 8am - 6pm Sat 7am - 4pm emartin@mynschevy.com www.mynschevy.com

Utah

Ken Garff Buick GMC

RIVERDALE

800-821-8797 801-627-6762 800-390-1317 Fax M-F 8am - 6pm

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

Negotiating with insurers is just part of the repair process and nothing to dread, according to Mike Anderson of Collision Advice.

Anderson and Danny Gredinberg, of the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG), presented “BulletProof Negotiation Tactics” Nov. 2 at the 2022 SEMA Show, part of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education series.

“I’m seeing more and more friction between shops and insurers,” Anderson said. “The goal is to give you negotiation strategies to reduce that friction and get paid more.”

Anderson and Gredinberg gave tips on how to approach negotiations from a fact-based standpoint—with documentation, and where to find it—and finally discussed a collision repairer’s options when an insurer still won’t pay for work.

Anderson said anyone can get a copy of the full presentation by emailing his assistant, Tiffany Driggers, at tiffany@collisionadvice. com.

“This presentation is in no way anti-

insurance,” Anderson said.

Many people make the mistake of thinking of negotiations as a negative thing, like a fight or an argument, he said, but they’re a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

Repairers must negotiate on things like labor times, not-included labor operations, labor rates, alternative parts usage and more, Anderson said.

The negotiation begins the moment you interact with the customer, he said. “The customer is really the boss. Get the customer believing in you before you enter into conversation with the payer.”

Anderson suggested reviewing the vehicle’s owner’s manual with the owner, to show the owner exactly what the automaker says must be done to properly complete the repair.

If your shop is not in a DRP and the insurance company is causing a delay, call the customer every day, Gredinberg said.

“Tell the customer their car is on hold after disassembling, and they may want to call to expedite the claim,” Anderson said. “After you’ve called them two or three days, the customer will call and either get their insurance to pay, or they’ll pay

it themselves. Either way, you get the car out.”

When writing an estimate, it needs to tell a story, with good line notes and quality photos. Attach OEM repair procedures to the estimate, as they can change frequently.

Anderson then went over his “Rules of Negotiation.”

Your Opinion Don’T Mean Jack “It only matters what you can prove, substantiate or justify,” he said.

Don’T Take The Bait

“When insurers say, ‘No one else charges for that, you’re the only one,’ they’re baiting you,” he said. “Say, ‘I don’t care what anyone else charges for, I want to stick to the facts.’”

Present The Facts

Is it required to restore the car to preaccident condition? Is it included in any other labor operation? Is there a pre-determined time in the database? If not, what is it worth?

“These are questions based on fact, not emotions,” Anderson said.

Prove It

Use OEM repair procedures; estimating systems; credible internet

sources like SCRS, I-CAR, ASE and OEM websites; manufacturer bulletins; scan tools; the vehicle manual; DEGweb.org; and Collision Advice’s “Who Pays for What” surveys to find documentation supporting your position.

If the insurer still is not convinced, the options for the repairer are to perform the operation for free, charge the customer, refuse the job, ask for a hold harmless agreement, right to appraisal, involve the agent or have the customer come on-site and meet with the insurer, but prep the customer first.

“At the end of the day, remember: do you want easy, or do you want worth it?” Anderson said. “This is not a magic bullet, but it’ll increase your chances of reimbursement.”

Classic Collision, LLC, a leading national multi-site collision repair operator based in Atlanta, announced two new closings Nov. 4 the acquisition of Smitty’s Collision in Mooresville, NC, and a CARSTAR Franchise in Houston, TX.

Smitty’s Collision opened its doors 20 years ago with a commitment to bring quality repairs to the Mooresville area.

“We used the most up to date technology to return vehicles to pre-collision condition with a staff that had over 100 years of experience in the collision repair industry, and excited to be a part of the Classic growth in North Carolina,” said Kenny Barber, former owner of Smitty’s Collision.

The Premier CARSTAR was family-owned and dedicated to exceptional customer care throughout the repair process.

“We were absolutely committed to being the industry’s best in attending to our customer’s needs, and confident that Classic Collision will continue

that same commitment to the Houston area,” said Kal Shaban, former owner of Premier CARSTAR.

“We

both Smitty’s Collision and CARSTAR’s team to the Classic family. We recognize their high service standards and look forward to advancing that once again in Texas and adding our third location in North Carolina market,” said Toan Nguyen, CEO of Classic Collision.

Source: Classic Collision

are pleased to welcome

Classic Collision Adds 3rd Location in North Carolina, Expands Again in Texas

“We were absolutely committed to being the industry’s best in attending to our customer’s needs, and confident that Classic Collision will continue that same commitment to the Houston area,”

KAL SHABAN FORMER OWNER OF PREMIER CARSTAR

Auto Care Alliance Announces Calendar

The Auto Care Alliance (ACA) announced a new resource for the aftermarket automotive industry.

The ACA Industry Events Calendar is an available resource for shop owners, technicians, educators and vendors to stay up-to-date with the latest conferences and expos throughout the U.S.

“We found that there wasn’t a comprehensive listing of industry events available. This will provide not only be a valuable resource for industry professionals but will also assist organizations in scheduling future events so as to not conflict with other industry events,” said Sheri Hamilton, executive director for the Auto Care Alliance.

The calendar can be found at www.autocarealliance.org/ industry-events.

Companies and organizations can submit their events to be included by completing the submission form included on the site.

Source: Auto Care Alliance

EV Sales Hit Record, According To Kelley Blue Book

Sales of electrified vehicles hit a record in Q3 2022, as one of the hottest segments in the U.S. automotive market continues to make waves throughout the industry, according to Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company.

compared to a year ago in September 2021. The average new EV price last month was $65,291, according to Kelley Blue Book, which is well above the industry average and aligns more with luxury versus mainstream prices.

Despite the high price tags for EVs, consumer interest is not showing any signs of slowing.

the EV segment slumped lower in Q3, although at 64% share, “lower” is a relative term. Declining share was inevitable for Tesla as more players entered the marketplace, but for now, the brand remains the leader among EVs.

More than 200,000 electrified vehicles were sold in the threemonth span of Q3 a first with the segment far outpacing the rest of the industry in terms of sales volumes and share growth.

The high cost of electrified vehicles does not appear to deter car shoppers. While electrified vehicle prices declined slightly (1.8%) month over month from August to September, EV prices were up 9.7% in September

“Electrified vehicles continue to be the darling of the industry, with the growing marketplace and consumer interest now reflected in record sales numbers,” said Brian Moody, executive editor for Kelley Blue Book. “While EV prices currently align more closely with luxury versus mainstream, the market continues to grow and evolve with more choices hitting the scene all the time. It’s no longer just ‘which Tesla is available,’ but rather an industry-wide boom with more EVs on the horizon from Ford, GM, Hyundai and other manufacturers.”

While Tesla is still the leading EV brand, new entries continue to show strong growth as they gobble up share. Tesla’s share of

More notable than the decline in EV share is the fact Tesla easily held on to the top spot in the luxury market during Q3, outselling No. 2 Mercedes-Benz by a large margin.

Beyond pure EVs, Toyota remains the gold standard for hybrid powertrains. Hybrid sales for Toyota decreased year over year in Q3 mostly due to tight inventory, but the brand still moved more than 100,000 hybrids in the U.S. during those three months. Year to date, nearly half of all hybrids sold in the U.S. wear a Toyota badge.

To view Kelley Blue Book’s Q3 2022 Electrified Vehicle Sales Report, visit https://www. coxautoinc.com/wp-content/ uploads/2022/10/Q3-2022Kelley-Blue-Book-ElectrifiedVehicle-Sales-Report.pdf

Kelley Blue Book

Equalizer® Gives Back This Holiday Season

Equalizer® is opening up its Tools for Techs program once again this holiday season to go along with its donation to Toys for Tots, to gift a tech with some extra Christmas cheer.

From now until Dec. 14, Equalizer will donate a portion of proceeds from the products included in its Glass Removal Kit (GRK551) to the Toys for Tots Austin, TX, organization.

In addition to Toys for Tots, Equalizer® is asking for nominations for a deserving auto glass installer in its Tools for Techs program. The winning nomination(s) will receive a Glass Removal Kit with their choice of removal tool, such as an Equalizer Ambush , BlackHawk™, Viper™, Raptor™ or Transformer™ worth up to $2,359 in value.

Submit your nomination for an honorable tech who is deserving of a special start to the new year at equalizer.com/tools-fortechs-2

Source: Equalizer

Source:

By John Yoswick Auotbody News

While inflation, supply chain issues and labor shortages have many on edge about the U.S. economy, Christopher Thornberg offered a fairly positive message to collision repairers at the MSO Symposium in Las Vegas on Oct. 31.

pandemic, but even back in 2019.

“Look, take a step back and recognize that these stories you are seeing year after year are a hell of a lot scarier than the world around us,” Thornberg said. “So beware the narrative. We live in odd times, but it’s not a recession, and indeed I don’t expect any kind of recession in the near term. There is so much pent-up consumer demand in our economy right now.”

He acknowledged higher interest rates are cooling off home prices, but “the fundamentals of real estate are actually still very good right now.” Inflation will burn out on its own, he said. While an inflationary economy is brittle—“If a real shock does pop up, it could cause real problems”— “the scariest thing to me is still the narrative,” he said.

driving. The federal funds rate does not keep people from getting on the road.”

No Quick Drop In Shops’ Backlog Forecast

Also offering mostly good news for body shops moving into 2023 was Bart Mazurek, vice president of consulting services for CCC Intelligent Solutions’ automotive services group. He told MSO Symposium attendees he doesn’t expect the record-high

mid-next year will start to come back down. But I don’t anticipate them going much below four weeks.”

He said claims counts this year are running ahead of 2021 but still aren’t what they were in 2019, in part because downtown traffic and morning commute congestion in major urban markets is still down compared to 2019.

“I don’t anticipate repair volume to come back to pre-pandemic levels maybe ever,” Mazurek said. “A lot of that has to do with vehicles getting smarter, and with ADAS being standard on every new vehicle. Especially in terms of front-end collisions, they’re going to become less frequent and more costly.”

Thornberg, who holds a doctorate in business economics from UCLA and is founder of Beacon Economics in California, said those worried about the current gloom-and-doom headlines about the economy should go back and look at similarly worried predictions not only at the start of the

For collision repairers, a slowdown in the construction industry will free up shipping container capacity for other goods, likely easing supply chain issues, Thornberg said. And someone who finds themselves priced out of the housing market may decide to buy a new car instead.

“If you’re just looking at people buying and driving cars, I don’t expect that to slow down at all,” Thornberg said. “Look at the roads. Everyone is

average backlog of work at body shops across the country to decline much before mid-2023 at the earliest. The labor shortage is a key cause, he said, and there’s actually been some decline in enrollment and graduate counts in collision training programs.

“While supply chain issues will alleviate [next year], that’s not going to cut these backlogs in half,” Mazurek said. “Realistically, they will probably get worse in the interim, and then

That said, strong used vehicle values have kept the percentage of those claims resulting in a total loss vehicle declining the past two years. In the fourth quarter of 2020, total losses accounted for 21.7% of the total claims count, according to CCC data; by the third quarter of this year, that was down to 17%.

Economist Christopher Thornberg told collision repairers, “The federal funds rate does not keep people from getting on the road.”

“We live in odd times, but it’s not a recession, and indeed I don’t expect any kind of recession in the near-term.”

CHRISTOPHER THORNBERG FOUNDER OF BEACON ECONOMICS

Federal, state and local law enforcement partners from across the U.S. executed a nationwide, coordinated takedown Nov. 2 of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for tens of millions of dollars.

Arrests, searches and seizures took place in California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina and Virginia. In total, 21 individuals in five states have been arrested and/or charged for their roles in the conspiracy.

The 21 defendants are charged in two separate indictments unsealed Nov. 2 in the Eastern District of California and the Northern District of Oklahoma following extensive law enforcement arrest and search operations.

In addition to the indictments, more than 32 search warrants were executed, and law enforcement seized millions of dollars in assets, including homes, bank accounts, cash and luxury vehicles.

“Amidst a rise in catalytic converter thefts across the country, the Justice Department has today carried out an operation arresting 21 defendants and executing 32 search warrants in a nationwide takedown of a multimillion-dollar catalytic converter theft network,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to work alongside our state and local partners to disrupt criminal conspiracies like this one that target the American people.”

Catalytic converters use precious metals in their core and are regularly targeted for theft due to the high value of these metals, especially palladium, platinum and rhodium.

Some of these precious metals are more valuable per ounce than gold and their value has been increasing in

recent years. The black-market price for catalytic converters can be above $1,000 each, depending on the type of vehicle and what state it is from.

They can be stolen in less than a minute. Additionally, catalytic converters often lack unique serial numbers, VIN information or other distinctive identification features, making them difficult to trace to their lawful owner. Thus, the theft of catalytic converters has become increasingly popular because of their value, relative ease to steal and their lack of identifying markings.

Eastern District Of California Case

A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of California returned a 40-count indictment charging nine defendants with conspiracy to transport stolen catalytic converters, conspiracy to commit money laundering and other related charges.

According to court documents, brothers Tou Sue Vang, 31, and Andrew Vang, 27, and Monica Moua, 51, all of Sacramento, CA, allegedly operated an unlicensed business from their personal residence in Sacramento, where they bought stolen catalytic converters from local thieves and shipped them to DG Auto Parts LLC in New Jersey for processing. The Vang family allegedly sold more than $38 million in stolen catalytic converters to DG Auto.

Defendants Navin Khanna, aka Lovin Khanna, 39; Tinu Khanna, aka Gagan Khanna, 35; Daniel Dolan, 44; Chi Mo, aka David Mo, 37; Wright Louis Mosley, 50; and Ishu Lakra, 24, all of New Jersey, operated DG Auto in multiple locations in New Jersey. They knowingly purchased stolen catalytic converters and, through a “de-canning” process, extracted the precious metal powders from the catalytic core. DG Auto sold the precious metal powders it processed from California and elsewhere to a metal refinery for

over $545 million.

Northern District Of Oklahoma Case

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Oklahoma returned a 40-count indictment charging 13 defendants with conspiracy to receive stolen catalytic converters, conspiracy to commit money laundering and other related charges.

According to court documents, together the defendants bought stolen catalytic converters from thieves on the street, then re-sold and shipped them to DG Auto in New Jersey for processing.

Over the course of the conspiracy, defendant Tyler James Curtis received more than $13 million in wired funds from DG Auto for the shipment of catalytic converters and received more than $500,000 from Capital Cores for catalytic converters.

Defendant Adam G. Sharkey received more than $45 million in wired funds from DG Auto. And defendant Martynas Macerauskas received more than $6 million in payments from DG Auto for catalytic converters. In all these incidents, most of the catalytic converters sold to DG Auto were stolen, and DG Auto knew or should have known that

when they paid for them.

The 13 defendants are Navin Khanna, 39, of Holmdel, NJ; Adam Sharkey, 26, of West Islip, NY; Robert Gary Sharkey, 57, of Babylon, NY; Tyler James Curtis, 26, of Wagoner, OK; Benjamin Robert Mansour, 24, of Bixby, OK; Reiss Nicole Biby, 24, of Wagoner, OK; Martynas Macerauskas, 28, of Leila Lake, TX; Kristina McKay Macerauskas, 21, of Leila Lake, TX; Parker Star Weavel, 25, of Tahlequah, OK; Shane Allen Minnick, 26, of Haskell, OK; Ryan David LaRue, 29, of Broken Bow, OK; Brian Pate Thomas, 25, of Choteau, OK; and Michael Anthony Rhoden, 26, of Keifer, OK.

Trial Attorney Danbee C. Kim of the Criminal Division’s Organized Crime and Gang Section, Assistant U.S. Attorney Veronica M.A. Alegría for the Eastern District of California, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Reagan Reininger and David Nasar for the Northern District of Oklahoma are prosecuting the cases.

The FBI Sacramento, IRS-CI Sacramento, HSI Tulsa and IRS-CI Tulsa are investigating the cases.

— Source: U.S. Department of

GM Secures All Energy Needed To Achieve Renewable Energy Goal 25 Years Ahead of Target

General Motors announced the finalization of energy sourcing agreements required to secure 100% of the energy needed to power all its U.S. facilities by 2025.

This is in line with the accelerated target announced in September 2021, which is five years ahead of the 2030 target announced in early 2021 and 25 years ahead of the initial target of 2050, set in 2016.

By achieving this accelerated goal, GM expects to avoid the production of an estimated 1 million metric tons of carbon emissions that would have been produced between 2025 and 2030, equal to the emissions produced by burning 1 billion pounds of coal.

“We believe it is critical---to ourselves, to our customers and to the future of the planet---to step up our efforts and reach ambitious targets that move us closer to a more sustainable world,” says Kristen Siemen, GM chief sustainability officer. “Securing the renewable energy we need to achieve our goal demonstrates tangible progress in reducing our emissions in all aspects of our business, ultimately moving us closer to our vision of a

future with zero emissions.”

Sourcing renewable energy is a critical component of GM’s plans to decarbonize. The company’s renewable energy strategy is rooted in four pillars:

1. Increasing Energy Efficiency: GM’s energy goals begin with reducing energy consumption by improving energy efficiency. For 11 years, GM has been awarded the EPA Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award for its energy efficiency efforts.

2. Sourcing Renewables: While it works to minimize the amount of energy required to run its facilities, GM also sources renewable energy through direct investment, on-site generation, green tariffs and power purchase agreements. This is the main way through which GM is achieving its renewable energy goal.

3. Addressing Intermittency: GM is creating technology to store renewable energy over the medium and long term, so its power consumption is not disrupted by external fluctuations.

4. Policy Advocacy: Policy efforts are essential to expand transmission, create microgrids that help deploy renewable energy and enable markets to price these solutions to enable a carbonfree resilient power system. GM supports policies that enable a carbon-free, resilient power system.

GM’s renewable energy portfolio now includes sourcing agreements from 16 renewable energy plants across 10 states, continuing to lead all automotive OEMs as the largest offtaker of renewable power in the industry. Since 2017, the portfolio has also produced over $75 million of positive cash flows.

In 2019, GM became a founding member of what is now known as the Clean Energy Buyers Association—the largest group of corporate renewable energy buyers in the U.S. CEBA brings companies together to unlock market access, helping organizations of all sizes find cost-effective pathways to buying renewable energy.

“General Motors has been a trailblazer in corporate clean energy procurement for

manufacturing facilities for over a decade,” said Miranda Ballentine , CEO of the Clean Energy Buyers Association. “Today’s announcement of securing the energy needed to achieve their 2025 goal is another example of their leadership. But even more impressive has been GM’s commitment to sharing their learnings and guiding other corporations who want to follow their lead. In a world of high competition, this communityorientation is truly wonderful.”

In 2021, GM announced its Science Based Targets for emissions reduction, as well as plans to become carbon neutral in its global products and operations by 2040. In addition, the company plans to eliminate tailpipe emissions from new U.S. light-duty vehicles by 2035. GM has committed to invest $35 billion in electric and autonomous vehicles through 2025, with plans to reach more than 1 million units of annual EV capacity in each of North America and China by the end of 2025.

Source: GM

New-Vehicle Monthly Payment Hits Another Record High in October

New-vehicle affordability declined again in October with auto loan rates reaching a 20year high as prices increased slightly, according to the Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics Vehicle Affordability Index.

The number of median weeks of income needed to purchase the average new vehicle in October increased to 42.8 weeks from an upwardly revised 42.6 weeks in September.

Average Monthly Payment For New Car Hits Another Record High

Supporting affordability, median income grew 0.4%, and incentives from manufacturers increased. All other factors moved against affordability.

The average price paid for a new vehicle in October increased by 0.2% to $48,281, according to Kelley Blue Book. The average interest rate increased another 30 basis points. As a result of these moves, the estimated typical

monthly payment increased by 1.1% to $748, a new record high.

“Higher rates are already shifting access to vehicles and financing towards wealthier consumers,” said Cox Automotive Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke. “Affordability will be challenged for years to come in both the new and used markets. It’s not the Fed’s fault, but it will impact consumer access to transportation.”

New-vehicle affordability in October was much worse than a year ago when prices were lower, incentives were higherand interest rates were much lower. The estimated number of weeks of median income needed to purchase the average new vehicle in October was up 7% from last year when the index stood at 40 weeks.

The next update of the Cox Automotive/Moody’s Analytics Vehicle Affordability Index will be published Dec. 15.

Source: Cox Automotive

The times have not been kind to the auto insurance industry.

The volume of vehicle collisions is returning to pre-pandemic levels and, when combined with all-time-high repair costs, historic backlogs in repair shops and limited replacement parts availability, it is costlier and more time-consuming than ever to get customers’ vehicles back on the road after a collision.

The J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, released Oct. 27, adds another dour fact to the mix: customer satisfaction has declined 7 points (on a 1,000-point scale) from 2021 as customers start to lose patience with the claims process.

“Insurers are in a tight spot with their own profitability strained and a host of external factors causing their customers to grow increasingly disillusioned with the entire claims experience,” said  Mark Garrett, director of global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power. “The best way forward is for insurers to start focusing on carefully managing customers’ expectations and finetuning their digital engagement strategies to shepherd their customers through the process.

“There is one bright spot in the study: insurers that focused on managing timing expectations, were quickly available and responsive to customers and that provided multiple digital options for status updates were able to outperform the industry with some even improving year over year,” Garrett said.

Key Findings Of The 2022 Study

Historically slow repair process drags on customer satisfaction: Overall satisfaction with the auto insurance claims process this year falls 7 points to 873. While satisfaction is down across nearly all factors in the study, satisfaction with the repair process registers a 9-point year-over-year decline.

This year marks the first time a majority of customers cited supply chain issues such as waiting for parts on order and repair shop backlog as reasons for delays in getting their vehicle back on the road. The average repair cycle time is nearly 17 days, compared with a prepandemic average of about 12 days.

Expectation management becomes key to customer satisfaction: The

average overall satisfaction score among customers experiencing a repair cycle time greater than three weeks is 837. That score jumps 71 points to 908 when customers are provided with an accurate time estimate beforehand.

mobile app, overall satisfaction falls 4 points.

points from a year ago.

Being empathetic throughout the process is key, especially for the longer-tailed claims that can create more effort for customers who have questions, need updates and are trying to determine next steps.

Claims servicing is not one size fits all: Rising repair costs are challenging insurers’ profitability, so pressure is mounting to better manage expenses.

This puts the focus on digital channels as a critical tool for efficiently managing customer relationships, but not all customers want to use such channels. In fact, 34% of customers say they have a stronger preference for working with people than using digital contact.

These customers also have a notably worse claims experience, as satisfaction is 31 points lower than among those who are equally comfortable with both people and digital as contact channels.

Getting digital formula just right is critical, but not easy: Not all digital experiences are created equal. When digital is used for delivering status updates, overall satisfaction rises 56 points, with those using text messaging having the highest levels of satisfaction. However, when digital is used to report first notice of loss (FNOL) via the internet or

Right hand, meet left hand: A common complaint about the auto insurance claims process is the need to repeatedly provide the same information to different people at various points in the process. Overall satisfaction scores are lowest (840) when customers interact with three or more representatives during the claims process---a decline of 13

Scores are highest (912)---and have held steady year over year when the insurer uses straightthrough-processing technology to automatically approve and route the claim.

Study Ranking

Amica Mutual ranks highest in overall customer satisfaction with a score of 903. NJM Insurance Co. (896) ranks second and Erie Insurance (893) ranks third.

The redesigned 2022 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 8,239 auto insurance customers who settled a claim within the past six months prior to participating in the survey. The study excludes claimants whose vehicle incurred only glass/ windshield damage or was stolen, or who only filed a roadside assistance claim. The study was fielded from November 2021 through September 2022.

For more information about the U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/ resource/jd-power-us-auto-claimssatisfaction-study.

Source: J.D. Power

Credit: Shutterstock

SCRS Study Concludes Blend Time Is Greater Than Full Refinish

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has published the results of its blend study research project conducted in August with major North American refinish companies.

To download the “Blend Study Report: A comparative analysis between full refinish and blend operations,” visit www.scrs.com/ blendstudy.

and Mitchell each defines its own refinish times, and each establishes the labor for blend on a two-stage refinish by utilizing a formula of 50% of the full refinish value.

Collision repairers have routinely expressed that blending a panel takes more skill and time to facilitate an invisible transition than the existing formulas reflect.

SCRS worked with AkzoNobel Vehicle Refinishes, Axalta Coating Systems, BASF Automotive Refinish, PPG Industries and Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes to perform the research at the Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) Center for Excellence, at the GFS headquarters in Osseo, WI.

less time allocated in the three IP estimating systems.

donated by 3M and SCRS as well as miscellaneous materials from the research project, were all donated to the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), in Eau Claire, WI.

Blending a panel adjacent to a panel being replaced or repaired is a necessary process to achieve a proper color match, and is recommended by all the major automotive refinish companies in North America.

The three primary estimating system information providers (IPs) in the U.S Audatex, CCC/MOTOR

The study used 45 new OEM parts, donated by Ford Motor Company, including hoods, fenders and front door shells for the 2018 Ford F-150, and was monitored and audited by DEKRA North America, the world’s largest unlisted expert organization in the TIC (testing, inspection, certification) industry.

The conclusions of this study indicate that blending, on average, took 31.59% more time than a full refinish, rather than the 50%

“The findings suggest that the concerns expressed by our members have not been unfounded,” said SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg “These results very clearly establish that performing the processes necessary to blend a panel does not take less labor than the processes to fully refinish a panel.”

The study results conclude the existing 50% formula may not be an accurate representation of the comparison between the two tasks.

At the conclusion of the test, all 45 parts donated by Ford Motor Company and 10 part stands

SCRS extends its gratitude to all the individuals and companies who made this research possible. With specific recognition of the contributions from 3M, AkzoNobel Vehicle Refinishes, Axalta Coating Systems, BASF Automotive Refinish, DEKRA North America, Ford Motor Company, Global Finishing Solutions, PPG Industries and Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes.

To download the “Blend Study Report: A comparative analysis between full refinish and blend operations,” visit www.scrs.com/ blendstudy.

Support this and other efforts from SCRS through membership, by contacting the SCRS office at info@scrs.com or visit www.scrs. com/join-scrs.

For more information about SCRS, or to join as a member, visit www.scrs.com, call 1-877-8410660 or email info@scrs.com.

Source: SCRS

Across the U.S., vehicle theft totals are approaching near record highs and new analysis by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) indicates these trends show no signs of slowing down.

Vehicle theft data, provided by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and analyzed by NICB, indicates more than 745,000 vehicles have been stolen in the first three quarters of 2022, with more than 250,000 having been reported to law enforcement since the end of June. This is a 24% increase compared to this same time period in 2019. If this trend continues, totals could exceed 1 million stolen vehicles nationally by the end of the year and surpass pre-pandemic highs by more than 100,000 stolen vehicles.

“The year may be coming to an end, but criminals are not going on winter break,” said David Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB. “Even as temperatures drop, vehicle owners everywhere need to know that the criminals are still on the hunt.”

Vehicle thefts in the U.S. are

the highest they have been since 2008. According to previous analysis by the NICB, vehicle thefts tend to increase in the last three months of the year during the holiday season. If history repeats itself once again, the U.S. will see thefts trending around yearly highs through the end of the year.

“Remember, practicing good security hygiene is an easy and effective first step all of us can take to protect ourselves and our vehicles,” said Glawe. “Don’t leave your car running and unattended. Always take your keys with you and most importantly, make sure your auto policy is up to date. It is that simple.”

Should your vehicle be stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately. Reporting a vehicle as soon as possible after it is stolen increases the chance of recovery.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, call the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB. For additional information, visit NICB’s website, WWW.NICB.org.

Source: NICB

“These results very clearly establish that performing the processes necessary to blend a panel does not take less labor than the processes to fully refinish a panel.”

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Kia Recalls 71,000 SUVs For Fire Risk

Kia America issued a new recall for certain 2008-2009 Kia Sportage vehicles due to a continued risk of fire, and strongly urges owners of these vehicles to park their cars outside and away from homes and other structures until their vehicles have been repaired.

potentially affected

These vehicles were previously recalled in 2016, and owners will need to have their vehicles repaired again under this new recall.

The recall repair is under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 22.

Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-3334542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC253.

Vehicle owners can visit NHTSA. gov/recalls and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is under recall.

An engine compartment fire originating from around the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may occur while the vehicle is parked or being driven.

Kia said 71,704 vehicles are

Owners can also download NHTSA’s SaferCar app for Apple or Android. Enter the vehicle, tires, car seat, or other vehicle equipment, and the app will push a notification if a recall is issued.

Source: NHTSA

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